Univ.uf  HI.  Library 

53 

I3<*3 


tc/G7/2L 

37L.92G573E 


SNAG 


(NGlCJ  16*4w  223116 

ISlS 

L 001 

GOLJSTEINy  HERBERT 

1HE  tPHCACY  OF  SPECIAL  CLASS 
I RAINING  ON  THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF 
MENIALLY  RETARDED  LH I LDREN$Uk 

I ANA 

RISKING  search  stacks 

EQ3  LIBRARY 
uRB ANA 

II  6i.<i20 

cAMPUS  LIB  DEPT  (UlUCi 
oNAoG  86/07/21  86/07/21 


STACKS 

CSTXC4 

s 000-00-1609 


LIBRARY: 

I ERM  INAL : 
PATRuW  ID 


Return  this  book  on  or  before  the 
Latest  Date  stamped  below. 

Theft,  mutilation,  and  underlining  of  books 
are  reasons  for  disciplinary  action  and  may 
result  in  dismissal  from  the  University. 
University  of  Illinois  Library 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/advicetoyoungmen00arth_0 


ADVICE 


TO 


YOUNG  MEN 


ON  THEIR 

DUTIES  AND  CONDUCT  IN  LIFE. 

BY 

T.  S.  ARTHUR, 

AUTHOR  OP  ((  THE  MAIDEN,”  “ WIFE,”  AND  " MOTHER.” 


PHILADELPHIA: 

JOHN  E.  POTTER  AND  COMPANYj 
Nos.  614  and  617  Sansom  Street. 


I 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1860,  by 
T.  S.  ARTHUR, 

n the  Clerk’s  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Eastern  District 
of  Pennsylvania. 


PRE  FACE 


This  book  is  the  result  of  an  application 
to  the  writer  to  prepare  a volume  addressed 
to  young  men.  In  reflecting  upon  the  sub- 
ject, after  having  agreed  to  write  the  book, 
it  was  assumed  that  there  are  two  classes  of 
young  men  — one  made  up  of  those  who  feel 
the  force  of  good  principles,  and  are  in  some 
willingness  to  act  from  them,  and  the  other 
composed  of  such  as  are  led  mainly  by  their 
impulses,  feelings,  passions,  and  selfish  in- 
terests. And  it  was  also  assumed  that,  as 
society  looks  to  the  former  as  her  regenera- 
tors, and  not  to  the  latter,  it  would  be  most 
useful  to  present  such  views  of  life  as  would 
help  the  former  to  see  and  feel  the  import- 
ance of  their  position,  and  the  necessity 


4 


TREFACE 


there  was  for  them  to  act  from  the  highest 
principles.  This  volume  is  therefore  ad- 
dressed to  the  thinking  faculty,  and  seeks 
to  lead  young  men  to  just  conclusions,  from 
reflections  upon  what  they  are,  and  what 
are  their  duties  in  society,  as  integral  parts 
of  the  common  body.  It  is  therefore  a 
serious  book,  — or,  it  might  be  called  a 
thoughtful  book,  — and  should  be  read  in 
a thoughtful  spirit.  To  those  who  will 
thus  read  it,  it  is  believed  that  it  will  prove 
deeply  interesting  ; and  all  whom  it  inter- 
ests it  must  benefit. 

Satisfied  that  those  who  read  it  as  it  should 
be  read,  cannot  fail  to  have  their  good  pur- 
poses strengthened,  and  their  minds  elevated 
into  sounder  views  of  life  than  usually  pre- 
vail in  common  society,  the  writer,  having 
completed  his  task,  dismisses  it  from  his 
hands,  and  turns  to  the  consideration  of 
other  matters  that  require  his  attention. 


CONTENTS 


Chapter  Pago 

I.  Preliminary  Remarks 7 

II.  Man — his  Origin,  Nature,  and  Destiny 10 

III.  The  Age  op  Responsibility 19 

IV.  A common  Error  op  Young  Men 26 

V.  Friends  and  Associates 52 

VI.  Improvement  op  the  Mind 59 

VII.  Self  Education 67 

VIII.  Accomplishments 80 

IX.  Amusements 88 

X.  Self-Government 99 

XI.  Indolence  and  Want  op  Order 112 

XII.  Intimate  Friendships 128 

XIII.  Home 134 

XIV.  Parents 138 

XV.  Sisters 146 

XVI.  Conduct  among  Men 151 

XVII.  Courage 168 

5 


6 CONTENTS. 

Chapter  P»g» 

XVIII.  Religion 193 

XIX.  Bad  Habits 200 

XX.  Health 214 

XXI.  Entering  int©  Business 230 

XXII.  Marriage 243 

XXIIL  Conclusion 255 


ADYICE  TO  YOUNG  MFN 


chapter  I. 

PRELIMINARY  REMARKS. 

We  solicit,  in  the  beginning,  the  earnest 
attention  of  those  for  whom  we  write.  We 
have  a purpose  in  view,  which  cannot  be  clear- 
ly seen  and  appreciated,  unless  all  that  is  said 
be  understood  and  carefully  considered.  False 
views  of  life  prevail  every  where,  and  especially 
with  those  just  attaining  the  age  of  moral  ac- 
countability. The  books  that  are  written  for 
ihe  young,  the  oral  precepts  that  fall  from 
the  lips  of  age,  too  often  give  erroneous  ideas 
of  man’s  true  nature  and  the  end  of  his  being 
There  is  too  great  a disposition  to  offer  precept'. 
*,hat  regard  only  temporal  well-doing — to  furnish 
the  means  by  which  wealth  is  acquired  — to  re- 
gard mere  natural  life  as  of  primary  importance. 
Since  the  days  of  the  adage,  “ A penny  saved  ia 


8 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


a peirHji  gained,”  our  people  seem  to  have  for- 
gotten tnat  there  is  something  to  be  saved  and 
gained  more  precious  than  even  gold  or  silver. 
They  seem  to  have  forgotten  that  man  has  a 
destiny  beyond  the  attainment  of  mere  wealth. 
And,  as  the  leading  views  held  and  practised 
upon  by  the  majority  of  a whole  people  must 
be  transmitted  to,  and  impressed  upon,  the  minds 
of  the  young,  and,  in  turn,  influence  their  whole 
lives,  the  natural  consequence  is,  that  a large 
proportion  of  our  young  men,  as  soon  as  they 
begin  to  think  and  act  for  themselves,  seem  to 
have  all  ideas  and  ends  merged  in  the  one  great 
pursuit  of  wealth  for  its  own  sake. 

The  time  seems  to  have  arrived  for  a deal 
and  strong  presentation  of  the  real  truth  on  this 
important  subject.  Whether  the  writer  of  this 
volume  has  the  ability  to  do  so,  or  not,  will  ap- 
pear in  the  sequel.  In  pursuing  his  task,  his 
object  will  be  to  make  his  readers  not  only  think 
with  him,  but  to  furnish  them  with  leading  truth* 
that  will  cause  them  to  think  for  themselves,  and 
decide  for  themselves,  in  all  the  varied  relations 
of  life  in  which  circumstances  may  place  them. 
Mere  precepts  for  the  young  are  of  little  use ; 
they  are  rarely,  if  ever,  regarded;  and  it  is 
because  they  do  not  appeal  to  the  mind’s  rea- 
soning faculty.  They  are  but  abstract  enunci- 


PRELIMINARY  REMARKS. 


9 


ations,  that  come  not  into  the  mind  as  parts  of 
its  own  conclusions.  What  is  essential  is,  that 
a whole  idea  of  life  should  be  imparted,  and  the 
young  man  made  to  feel  that  the  correctness  of 
he  great  result  — when  the  problem  is,  at  last, 
worked  out  — will  depend  as  much  upon  the 
wisdom  of  his  actions  at  the  outset  of  life  as  at 
any  other  period,  — nay,  more  so;  for  the  nearer 
to  the  beginning  of  a problem  the  error  lies,  the 
farther  will  the  final  result  be  from  the  truth. 

Thus  much  briefly  premised,  we  shall  begin 
at  the  beginning,  and,  first  of  all,  speak  of  man’s 
origin,  nature,  and  destiny.  Without  a correct 
knowledge  of  these,  life-precepts  are  as  likely  to 
be  wrong  as  right,  and  man  is  upon  the  surface 
of  a vast  ocean,  without  helm,  chart,  or  compass. 
This  portion  of  our  work  need  not  be  dry  and 
uninteresting : we  are  sure  it  will  not  be  so  to 
any  who  are  in  a state  of  mind  to  derive  benefit 
from  a book  written  for  young  men.  We  espe- 
cially ask  for  it  a thoughtful  perusal. 


10 


ADVICE  Tc  YOUNG  MEN. 


CHAPTER  II. 

MAN HIS  ORIGIN,  NATURE,  AND  DESTINY. 

The  importance  of  the  precept,  “ Man,  know 
thyself,”  has  been  felt  and  acknowledged  in  all 
ages,  and  among  all  enlightened  nations.  To 
know  ourselves  truly,  requires  not  only  the  scan- 
ning of  our  motives  and  ends  of  life,  but  a more 
general  knowledge  of  what  we  are  as  men.  On 
the  subject  of  man’s  origin,  nature,  and  destiny, 
there  is  a great  contrariety  of  opinions,  even  in 
the  Christian  world,  nearly  all  of  them  more  or 
less  obscure  and  unsatisfactory  to  the  rational 
thinker.  Thousands  of  pages  have  been  written 
on  mental  philosophy,  the  study  of  which  have  only 
tended  to  lead  man  deeper  and  deeper  into  the 
mazes  of  doubt  and  obscurity ; and  system  after 
system  has  been  adopted  and  rejected,  until  the 
human  mind,  turning  from  them  all  with  hopeless- 
ness, if  not  disgust,  is  again  afloat  upon  the  sea 
of  anxious  inquiry.  In  this  state  of  things,  how 
‘mportant  is  it  that  young  men  should  receive  as 
truth  only  the  truth , even  if  the  portion  be  but 
small  ! for  truth,  which  nourishes  the  mind,  as 


ORIGIN,  NATURE,  AND  DESTINY  OF  MAN.  11 

food  nourishes  the  body,  can  only  give  a healthy 
maturity,  while  error,  like  bad  food,  destroys  spir- 
itual health,  and  gives  to  the  spiritual  body  a 
diminutive  or  distorted  growth. 

Deeply  impressed  with  the  ini  portance  of  the 
statemen.  just  made,  we  shall  seek  earnestly  to 
guard  our  work  against  any  false  views  of  man 
or  his  duties  in  life,  and  to  make  all  that  we 
do  say  as  comprehensive  as  possible. 

First,  then,  as  to  man’s  origin.  The  Lord, 
who  is  essential  and  infinite  Love  and  Wisdom 
created  man  a likeness  and  image  of  himself,  not 
for  his  own  glory,  but  in  order  to  make  beings 
who  could  be  happy  out  of  himself.  To  do  this 
was  the  impulse  of  divine  Love,  and  by  divine 
Wisdom  the  work  was  done.  But  it  would  have 
been  impossible  for  man  to  have  been  a likeness 
and  image  of  his  Creator,  unless  he  were  given 
rationality  and  freedom ; and  with  these,  as  es- 
sential to  their  t-Arstence,  came  the  appearance 
that  he  had  life  in  himself  although  the  real 
truth  was,  he  was  only  a spiritually-organized 
form,  receptive  of  life.  The  two  constituents  of 
his  mind  were  will  and  understanding,  by  which 
he  became  a recipient  of  love  and  wisdom  from 
the  Lord ; his  will  being  the  receptacle  of  love, 
and  his  understanding  the  receptacle  of  wisdom 
and  from  these  two  constituents,  and  these  alone 


12 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN 


he  was  mart,  or  an  image  and  likeness  of  hia 
Creator. 

In  this  golden  age  of  man’s  existence,  all  the 
powers  of  his  mind  were  in  beautiful  order,  and 
moved  together  in  perfect  harmony.  The  affec- 
tions of  his  will  prompted  his  understanding  to 
the  conception  of  true  thoughts,  and  thus  the 
purposes  of  his  mind  were  brought  forth  into 
action  without  obstruction ; for  good  desires 
were  in  his  will,  and  true  thoughts  met  them  in 
his  understanding,  and  by  both  all  his  life  was 
governed.  His  face  was  the  index  of  his  mind 
— the  tablet  upon  which  all  he  felt  and  thought 
was  written ; and  we  have  good  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  he  had  no  need  of  oral  speech  for  the 
conveyance  of  his  ideas,  but  found  language 
dumb  in  comparison  to  the  wonderful  play  of  the 
innumerable  muscles  of  his  face  and  lips,  which 
were  in  perfect  correspondence  with  all  his 
feelings  and  thoughts,  and  gave  to  them  a full 
and  beautiful  utterance;  his  eye,  the  perfect 
mirror  of  his  mind,  at  a single  glance  sealing 
his  lips  into  silence. 

This  was  man’s  first  state,  when  he  came  per- 
fect from  the  hand  of  his  Creator.  He  had 
rationality  and  freedom,  without  which  he  could 
not  have  been  a man ; his  freedom  consisted  in 
his  ability  to  act  as  if  from  himself  under  the 


ORIGIN,  NATURE,  AND  DESTINY  OF  MAN.  13 

appearance  that  he  had  life  in  himself ; while, 
from  reason,  he  understood  and  acknowledged 
that  his  ability  to  act  was  from  the  Lord,  his 
Creator,  and  that  he  had  not  life  in  himself,  but 
was  only  a form  receptive  of  life.  Of  course 
in  this  state  he  looked  upwards  in  the  grate 
fill  acknowledgment  of  the  source  whence  h( 
derived  life  and  happiness,  and  it  was  the  will 
of  his  Creator  that  in  this  acknowledgment  he 
should  ever  live;  not  that  he  might  receive 
glory  — for  no  act  of  man’s  could  add  to  hit-, 
glory  — but  because  such  an  acknowledgmen 
was  absolutely  essential  to  man’s  happiness;  foi 
it  was  the  first  and  highest  truth  regarding  hi? 
existence. 

From  this  view,  we  may  easily  see  man’s 
danger  — the  danger  of  resting  in  the  appear 
ance  as  a reality ; of  believing  that  he  really 
had  life  in  himself , instead  of  being  merely 
recipient  of  life ; of  turning  himself  from  the 
Lord  to  self;  and  of  finally  believing  himself  to 
be  as  God,  knowing  good  from  evil.  The  result 
of  such  a fatal  error  would  be,  that  man,  believ- 
ing thus  of  himself,  would  be  inclined  to  love 
himself,  and  think  lightly  of  his  fellow-man 
He  would  seek  his  own  good,  as  an  end,  without 
reference  to  the  good  of  his  neighbor ; and  this 
wrc-uld  quickly  produce  opposing  interests  and 


14 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


lead  on  to  hatred  of  all  who  stood  in  the  was  ot 
the  attainment  of  his  ends.  And  such,  alas 
was  the  case ; and  man  declined,  by  a steady  and 
sure  progression,  until  he  lost  almost  entirely 
that  likeness  and  image  of  the  Lord  in  which 
he  was  created,  and  became  a likeness  and  im- 
age of  hell ; or,  in  other  words,  of  all  self-love 
and  evil. 

As  age  after  age  passed  away,  during  this 
melancholy  declension,  the  spirits  of  evil  men 
left  their  natural  bodies,  and,  unchanged  in 
nature,  met  together  and  associated,  according 
to  affinities  of  evil,  in  the  spiritual  world ; 
and  this  great  congregation  of  evil  spirits  is 
known  as  hell.  The  mere  laying  off  of  their 
material  bodies,  by  which  they  had  acted  in  the 
material  world,  changed  in  no  way  their  nature 
and  ends.  While  on  the  earth,  they  took  delight 
in  evil  instead  of  good,  and  this  delight  still  ruled 
them,  and  led  them  to  tempt  and  seduce  from 
good  the  yet  imbodied  spirits  of  man  whenever 
they  could  get  access  to  them ; nay,  more,  their 
intrusions  became  at  length  so  great,  that  even 
the  bodies  of  men  were  “ possessed  with  devils,” 
and  the  whole  race  of  mankind  was  so  exposed 
to  their  infernal  influences,  that  it  was  on  the 
eve  of  perishing. 

In  this  “ fulness  of  time,”  when  man  was  just 


ORIGIN,  NATURE,  AND  DESTINY  OF  MAN.  15 

about  extinguishing  in  him  every  good  that  he 
had  received  at  his  creation,  ana  on  the  eve  ot 
perishing  in  consequence,  the  Lord  himself — 
“ The  mighty  God,  the  everlasting  Father,  the 
Prince  of  Peace”  — assumed  human  nature 
through  a woman,  and  came  down  into  the  con- 
sciousness of  man  in  his  lowest  estate  of  evil, 
and  received  in  himself  all  the  assaults  or 
temptations  of  hell  that  could  be  made  upon 
those  states,  and  by  his  own  divine  power  con- 
quered the  evil,  and  remanded  the  spirits  of 
darkness  to  their  own  gloomy  abodes.  Thus  he 
became  able  to  save  man ; for,  assuming  a body 
of  flesh  and  blood,  and  coming  even  to  the  low 
perceptions  of  his  senses,  he  could  thus  take 
hold  of  something  in  him,  and  lift  him  out  of  the 
deep  into  which  he  had  fallen.  He  could  save 
man  in  temptation,  for  he  had  been  tempted 
himself  in  every  point,  but  without  sin.  The 
redemption  he  wrought  was  perfect;  for,  in  the 
fallen  nature  he  had  assumed,  through  a human 
mother,  was  the  form  of  every  evil  that  had 
ruled  in  the  breast  of  man  since  his  fall;  and 
into  these  forms  came  an  influx  of  evils  from 
hell,  or,  rather,  temptations  to  evil,  which  were 
resisted  and  overcome.  Thus  the  Lord  came 
into  the  consciousness  of  every  temptation  to  evil 
by  which  any  maa,  in  all  coming  time,  could  bs 


16 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


assailed,  and  conquered  in  that  temptation,  so 
that  he  can  now  save  all  men  who  look  to  him 
for  aid,  no  matter  how  low  they  may  have  fallen. 

At  the  coming  of  the  Lord,  men  had  reached 
the  lowest  point  in  the  segment  of  a circle  whose 
ends  were  in  heaven ; and  since  that  time  there 
has  been  a slow  but  sure  return ; and  this  ad- 
vancement must  be  permanent;  for  man  now 
rises  from  the  sensual  into  the  scientific  and 
rational,  and  finally  becomes  spiritual  and  celes- 
tial, and  cannot  again  be  deceived  by  appear- 
ances. Whereas,  in  his  creation,  he  was  formed 
a celestial  man,  and,  when  he  descended  into  the 
sensual  region  of  his  mind,  was  in  danger  of 
resting  there,  as  was  finally  the  case,  and  believ- 
ing that  his  earth  was  fixed  and  permanent, 
while  the  sun  was  ever  changing  its  place,  and 
revolving  around  his  little  centre. 

Thus,  in  speaking  of  man’s  origin,  we  have 
embraced  also  a view  of  his  nature  and  destiny, 
which  every  thoughtful  reader  will  comprehend. 
The  destiny  of  mankind,  it  is  clear,  is  a return 
to  heavenly  order  and  true  happiness.  Thus  it 
is  of  the  first  importance  that  all  should  under- 
stand, and  at  the  same  time  be  made  to  feel,  that 
each  individual  owes  a debt  to  the  human  race 
which  he  is  bound,  by  the  gravest  consideration, 
to  pay.  That  this  is  so,  a few  words  will  make 
plain 


ORIGIN,  NATURE,  AND  DESTINY  OF  MAN.  17 

Man’s  declension  was  slow,  and  consisted  in 
a gradual  perversion  of  the  good  principles  im- 
planted in  him  by  nature;  in  other  words,  the 
love  of  the  Lord  and  the  neighbor  was  by  de- 
grees supplanted  by  a love  of  self  and  the  world, 
until  the  latter  held  dominion  in  the  human 
mind.  This  progress  was  hereditary.  What 
the  parents  confirmed  in  their  own  minds  was 
transmitted  to  their  offspring,  and  these,  confirm- 
ing the  tendencies  to  evil  which  they  received 
by  actual  life,  transmitted  them,  with  increased 
direfulness,  to  their  children. 

Now,  man’s  return  must  be  along  the  same 
path  by  which  he  was  led  so  far  away  into  the 
wilderness  of  sin  and  misery.  And,  therefore 
only  so  far  as  he  contends  with  and  overcomes 
the  hereditary  tendencies  of  his  nature  to  evil, 
does  he  thus  return,  or  can  he  give  his  children 
the  power,  from  him,  of  returning.  Every  evil 
propensity  that  a man  fights  against  and  over- 
comes, instead  of  indulging,  he  weakens,  and 
this  he  transmits  with  diminished  power  to  his 
children;  and  every  good  principle  that  he  acts 
from  and  confirms,  he  transmits  with  increased 
power  to  his  children.  From  this  it  may  be 
seen  how  great  a debt  man  owes  to  the  human 
race,  and  how  he  is  bound  by  the  gravest  con 
Biderations  to  pay  that  debt. 

2 


18 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


In  this  struggle  for  the  regeneration  of  the 
human  mind,  it  is  essential  to  understand  how  it 
is  conducted.  It  has  been  already  stated  that 
man,  when  in  the  order  of  his  creation,  had  a 
will  and  understanding  that  acted  in  unison  : 
what  his  will  desired  his  understanding  brought 
forth.  But  since  man  lost  the  true  likeness  and 
image  into  which  he  was  created,  his  under- 
standing and  will  have  not  been  in  harmony. 
Man’s  will  is  utterly  perverted ; it  can  never  be 
regenerated;  but  his  understanding  still  retains 
the  power  of  elevation  into  even  the  light  of 
heaven.  He  has  yet  the  faculty  of  understand- 
ing truth  when  presented  to  his  mind,  and,  from 
this  truth,  of  perceiving  its  corresponding  good. 
And  he  is  still  held  in  sufficient  freedom  to 
choose  the  good  thus  presented,  and  to  force 
himself  to  act  from  the  truth  by  which  it  was 
made  apparent  to  his  mind.  In  this  way,  a new 
will  can  be  gradually  formed  in  the  intellectual 
region  of  his  mind,  while  the  old  will,  which  can 
never  be  regenerated,  will  be  laid,  with  all  its 
evil  promptings,  into  eternal  quiescence,  and 
thus  man  be  restored  to  something  of  his  pris- 
tine order. 

Thus  much  by  way  of  fixing  the  basis  upon 
which  our  work  is  to  stand.  As  we  stated  in 
the  outset,  we  have  a purpose  in  view  in  writing 


THE  AGE  OF  RESPONSIBILITY. 


19 


his  book,  and  these  brief  preliminaries  were 
necessary  to  a full  comprehension  of  the  princi- 
ples we  wish  to  lay  down  for  the  government  of 
a young  man’s  conduct  in  life,  in  the  various 
relations  he  may  be  called  upon  to  sustain. 
Our  object  is,  to  make  him  feel  that  he  does  not 
stand  alone  in  the  world,  and  therefore  should 
never  permit  himself  to  act  from  purely  selfish 
principles.  The  reason  we  have  endeavored  to 
explain,  clearly  enough,  we  think,  for  the  com- 
prehension of  every  one. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  AGE  OF  RESPONSIBILITY. 

Up  to  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  or  to  that 
period  when  a young  man  is  free  from  the  con- 
trol of  his  parents,  guardian,  or  master,  his  ra- 
tional mind  is  not  fully  developed.  He  acts 
from  others  more  than  from  himself,  and  others 
are  responsible,  to  a very  great  extent,  for  his 
actions.  But  when  he  becomes  a full-grown 
man,  when  both  mind  and  body  have  attained 
sufficient  maturity  to  enable  him  to  «hink  and 


20 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


act  wisely  and  efficiently  for  himself,  then  he 
takes  the  reins  of  government  into  his  own 
hands,  and  becomes  entirely  responsible  for  his 
actions,  both  as  regards  human  and  divine  laws. 
This  is  the  most  important  period  in  his  whole 
life ; for  the  consequences  of  an  error  here  are 
felt  at  every  subsequent  stage  of  existence. 

A serious  consideration  this,  and  one  that 
ought  to  press,  with  no  ordinary  weight,  upon 
the  mind  of  every  young  man;  and  the  more 
especially  so  when  the  undeniable  fact  is  an- 
nounced to  him,  that  scarcely  one  in  ten  fail,  at 
this  period  of  their  lives,  to  fall  into  some  error 
that  entails  upon  after  life  more  or  less  of  dis- 
ability and  unhappiness. 

Calm  and  sober  reflection,  and  not  thoughtless 
self-indulgence,  should  distinguish  every  young 
man  at  this  time.  The  destiny  of  an  immortal 
being,  created  in  the  likeness  and  image  of  God, 
is  in  his  hands.  Through  the  intricate  mazes  of 
life,  by  his  own  wisdom  and  prudence,  — enlight- 
ened, it  is  true,  from  above,  if  he  will  but  look  up, 
— he  must  guide  this  being  either  to  a sun-bright 
haven  at  last,  or  to  destruction  upon  the  gloomy 
shores  of  despair  and  misery.  Considerations 
like  these  are,  surely,  enough  to  make  the  most 
thoughtless  pause,  and  regard  with  pi  udent 
caution  every  footfall  in  the  way  of  life.  But 


THE  AGE  OF  RESPONSIBIUT V. 


21 


reflection  and  prudence  need  not  bring  gloom, 
but  cheerful  confidence.  When  a man  opens 
his  eyes,  and  sees  that,  in  a path  he  was  about  to 
walk  in  with  heedless  steps,  there  are  innumera- 
ble dangers,  and  wisely  chooses  a better  and  a 
safer  way,  he  has  cause  for  emotions  of  delight, 
rather  than  depression.  And  such  is  the  result 
with  every  young  man  who,  when  just  entering 
upon  a life  of  freedom  and  responsibility,  wisely 
reflects,  and  shuns  all  the  allurements  of  false 
pleasures,  and  the  excesses  into  which  all,  at  this 
period,  are  tempted  to  run. 

A common  error  into  which  very  many  fall  at 
this  period,  is  the  belief  that  they  may  run  into 
various  excesses,  and  indulge  themselves  inordi- 
nately in  sensual  pleasures  for  a few  years,  or 
during  the  brighter  days  of  their  early  spring- 
time, and,  after  that,  assume  the  more  important 
and  real  business  of  life.  This  is  a most  dan- 
gerous error,  and  for  the  reason  that  it  is  an 
immutable  law  of  order  in  the  human  mind,  that 
all  which  precedes  in  a man’s  life  goes  to  make 
up  his  character  in  all  its  subsequent  formations. 
This  can  only  be  seen  by  those  who  understand 
something  about  the  real  nature  of  man,  as 
a spiritually-organized  being.  To  those  who 
think  superficially,  and  only  from  appearances, 
the  idea  of  substance  and  form  appertains  only  to 


22  ADVICE  TO  VOUNG  MEN. 

material  things,  and,  so  far  as  man  is  concerned, 
to  his  body  only.  But  the  real  truth  is,  man's 
substantial  part  is  his  spirit,  while  his  body  is 
only  a form,  organized  and  built  up  from  inert 
material  particles,  as  a piece  of  beautiful  ma- 
chinery, by  which  the  true  spiritual  body  can 
act  in  the  material  world  It  is  this  spiritual 
body  which  is  the  true  man.  The  material  eye, 
for  instance,  does  not  see.  It,  as  matter,  has 
no  power  of  vision ; but  it  is  a window  through 
which  the  eye  of  the  spirit  can  look  out  and  see 
natural  objects.  The  mere  closing  of  this  win- 
dow does  not  destroy  the  spiritual  eye;  it  only 
takes  away  its  medium  of  sight  into  the  naturaj 
world.  So  of  the  ear,  and  so  of  all  the  exter 
nal  senses ; they  are  but  the  avenues  through 
which  the  senses  of  the  spiritual  body  take  cog- 
nizance of  things  in  the  outer  and  lower  world 
of  matter.  The  true  sight  of  the  spirit  is  its 
power  to  perceive  truth,  and  its  sense  of  hearing, 
its  willingness  to  obey  the  truth  so  perceived. 
That  this  is  so,  all  mankind  have  a common 
perception.  For,  when  one  attempts  to  present 
a truth  to  your  understanding,  he  says,  “ Don' 
you  see  ? ” And  when  a father  wishes  to  im- 
press the  necessity  of  obedience  to  a precept 
upon  his  child,  he  says,  “Do  you  hear?”  The 
ground  of  this  lies  in  the  fact,  as  just  stated, 


THE  AGE  OF  RESPONSIBILITY. 


23 


that  there  is  in  the  human  mind  a perception 
that  the  spirit’s  vision  is  its  power  to  see  truth 
and  its  hearing  is  its  willingness  to  obey. 

From  this  it  may  be  seen  that  man’s  spiritual 
Dody  is  a real  something  — that  it  can  see  and 
hear,  and  that  the  natural  body  has,  really,  no 
eye  nor  ear,  but  only  organized  forms  by  which 
the  spiritual  eyr  and  ear  can  see  into  and 
hearken  in  the  natural  world.  Now,  if  this  be 
true  of  the  eye  and  the  ear,  it  is  true  of  the 
whole  body  in  every  general  and  particular  thing 
appertaining  to  it ; and,  as  the  natural  body, 
which  is  an  outbirth  from  the  spiritual  body,  is 
a form  beautifully  organized  in  all  its  parts,  and 
is  called  a substance  as  well  as  a form,  is  it  not 
clear  that  the  spiritual  body  is  also  a substance 
and  a form  ? nay,  that  the  only  true  substantiality 
is  in  the  spiritual  body,  which  can  never  be  disor- 
ganized, but  which  retains  its  existence  and  its 
powers  forever? 

Keeping  this  H view,  it  may  readily  be  per- 
ceived that  impressions  can  be  made  on  this 
spiritual  form  and  substance  that  will  be  as  last- 
ing as  any  thing  made  upon  the  body.  That 
this  is  so,  mankind  have  seen,  in  all  ages,  and 
hence  the  adage  — “Just  as  the  twig  is  bent,  the 
tree’s  inclined ; ” and  the  thousand  wise  precepts 


24 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN 


in  the  codes  of  morality  to  be  found  in  all  na- 
tions, referring  to  the  power  of  habit. 

The  position  here  taken  is,  that  the  natura 
body  is  the  material  form  with  which  the  spiritual 
body  clothes  itself,  in  order  to  act  in  the  material 
world ; if  this  be  true,  — and  we  are  sure  no  ra- 
tional man  can  for  a moment  question  it,  — then 
we  may,  by  analogy,  determine  some  of  the  laws 
which  govern  the  spiritual  body,  by  observing 
those  which  govern  the  natural  body.  Now,  the 
laws  of  natural  health  are  those  which  govern 
the  natural  body,  and,  when  observed,  all  its  ma- 
chinery goes  on  right ; and  it  is  but  a wise  infer- 
ence to  say  that  the  laws  of  spiritual  health  are 
those  which  govern  in  the  spiritual  body,  and,  when 
observed,  spiritual  health  must  be  the  result.  If 
we  disregard  the  laws  of  natural  health,  diseased 
impressions  are  made  upon  the  body,  more  or 
less  apparent,  which  ever  after  remain,  and  show 
themselves,  no  matter  how  careful  we  may  be,  in 
after  life,  under  certain  and  particular  circum- 
stances, and  deprive  us  of  some  measure  of  ability 
to  perform  fully  our  duties  or  wishes  in  life.  If 
the  laws  of  health  have  been  grossly  abused 
more  serious  consequences  follow ; and,  some- 
times, men’s  whole  lives  are  rendered  burdensome, 
and  they,  perhaps,  unfitted  for  nearly  all  activu 


THE  AGE  OF  RESPONSIBILITY. 


25 


duties,  in  consequence.  Precisely  similar  will 
be  the  result  where  the  laws  of  spiritual  health 
have  been  disregarded.  “ What  are  the  laws  of 
spiritual  health?”  is  asked.  We  answer,  the 
Decalogue  contains  the  laws  of  spiritual  health, 
as  laid  down  by  the  Creator  of  man,  who  alone 
can  know  what  is  in  man,  and  what  laws  to  es- 
tablish for  his  government,  in  order  to  secure 
his  happiness.  The  violation  of  any  one  of  these 
laws,  even  in  intention,  will  bring  spiritual  dis- 
ease, as  certainly  as  the  violation  of  any  law  of 
natural  health  will. produce  natural  disease;  and 
this  disease  will  impress  the  substance  and  form 
of  the  spiritual  body,  and  produce  a change  from 
true  order,  that  no  subsequent  obedience  to  right 
precepts  will  ever  entirely  restore. 

It  would  be  easy  to  show  how  the  indulgence 
of  every  inordinate  desire,  — to  do  which  young 
men  are  so  strongly  tempted,  — is  a violation  of 
some  precept  of  the  Decalogue,  and  tends  to 
destroy  spiritual  health ; but  to  do  so,  would  ex* 
tend  this  preliminary  part  of  our  work  too  far, 
and  trench  too  much  upon  the  province  of  an 
abstract  spiritual  philosophy.  What  we  have  al- 
ready advanced  is  deemed  essential  to  the  for- 
mation of  true  ideas  in  regard  to  life  and  its 
responsibilities,  and  we  cannot  but  think  that  its 
bearin£  will  be  Ciear’y  seen  In  other  parts  of 


26 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


our  work,  we  will  keep  in  view  the  laws  here 
laid  down,  and  show  their  bearing  in  actual  life. 

From  what  is  advanced  in  this  chapter,  we 
think  every  reflecting  young  man  will  feel  the 
necessity  of  examining  his  ends,  as  well  as 
guarding  his  actions,  and  be  exceedingly  careful 
what  impressions  are  made  in  the  substance  ana 
form  of  his  spirit. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A COMMON  ERROR  OF  YOUNG  MEN. 

The  most  common  error  into  which  young 
men  fall  at  this  era  in  their  lives,  — as  was  inti- 
mated in  the  last  chapter,  — is  to  consider  the 
age  of  freedom  from  the  control  of  others  as  a 
period  of  license  for  self-indulgence.  Far  too 
many  run  into  extremes,  and  either  injure  their 
health,  or  form  habits  that  ever  after  stand  in  the 
way  of  virtuous  respectability,  or  success,  as  pro- 
fessional or  business  men.  That  this  is  a very 
serious  error,  need  not  here  be  said.  These 
habits  are  of  various  kinds.  We  will  notice  one 
of  them  in  this  chapter,  as  the  irost  prevalent 


A COMMON  ERROR  OF  YOUNG  MEN.  2? 

The  habit  of  spending  money  too  freely  in 
the  gratification  of  a host  of  imaginary  wants,  is 
one  into  which  young  men  of  generous  minds 
are  too  apt  to  fall.  Limited  to  a small  income 
previously,  and  compelled  to  deny  themselves  at 
nearly  every  point,  they  find  it  almost  impossible 
to  resist  the  impulse  that  prompts  to  self-gratifi- 
cation, and  are  thus  led  to  spend,  perhaps  for 
years,  the  entire  sum  of  their  earnings,  and, 
more  than  probable,  to  run  into  debt.  The  folly 
of  this  every  one  can  see  and  acknowledge,  and 
yet  too  many  have  not  the  resolution  to  act  up  to 
their  convictions. 

This  habit  of  spending  money  uselessly  has 
marred  the  fortunes  of  more  young  men  than 
any  other  cause.  It  is  a weakness  that  should 
be  firmly  and  constantly  resisted  by  every 
one.  Money  should  be  considered  as  a means 
by  which  man  has  power  to  act  usefully  in  the 
world,  and  he  ought  to  endeavor  to  obtain  it 
with  that  end  in  view.  The  greater  a man’s 
wealth,  the  broader  may  be,  if  he  but  will  it,  the 
sphere  of  his  usefulness.  It  is  true  that  men 
do  not  seek  for  wealth  under  the  impulse  of 
such  high  considerations,  ancj,  in  the  present 
condition  of  the  human  mind,  from  causes  just 
explained,  it  cannot  be  expected  that  they  should 
do  so.  But  the  first  thing  a man  has  to  do  in 


28 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


the  work  of  self-elevation,  is  to  shun  what  is 
evil  because  it  is  evil.  And  if  a young  man, 
who  is  constantly  tempted  to  spend  his  money 
foolishly,  should  refrain  from  doing  so  from  the 
consideration  that  it  was  wrong  to  waste  that  by 
which  he  might  ultimately  be  useful  to  his 
fellows,  he  will  be  very  apt,  in  after  life,  to  feel, 
under  all  circumstances  of  expenditure,  that  he 
must  not  be  entirely  unmindful  of  the  effect  of 
his  acts  upon  others. 

One  means  for  the  correction  of  this  fault 
may  be  found  in  a regular  account  of  receipts 
and  expenditures.  A young  man,  whose  income 
was  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  a year,  was 
asked  by  a friend  how  much  money  he  had 
saved.  He  had  been  receiving  this  salary  about 
four  years,  and  had  no  expenses  whatever  except 
those  that  were  personal. 

“ Saved ! ” returned  the  young  man,  in  sur- 
prise. “I  can’t  save  any  thing  out  of  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  a year.” 

“ I saved  money  on  a salary  of  five  hundred 
dollars,”  was  the  friend’s  quick  reply. 

“ I should  be  most  happy  to  know  your  se- 
cret,” said  the  other.  “ I have  tried  fifty  times 
to  lay  up  something,  but  it’s  no  use.” 

“ What  does  your  boarding  cost  you'?” 
‘‘Three  dollars  and  a half  a week.” 


A COMMON  ERROR  OF  YOUNG  MEN.  29 

“ Or  a little  over  a hundred  and  eighty  dollars 
a year.  Add  your  washing,  and  it  will  make 
two  hundred.  Next  comes  your  tailor’s  bill. 
How  much  is  that  ? ” 

“ Generally  about  a hundred  and  twenty-five 
dollars.” 

“ Seventy-five  more,  I suppose,  will  pay  for 
your  boots,  and  the  various  little  etceteras  of 
clothing  not  included  in  your  tailor’s  bill?” 

‘ O,  yes,  fully,  I should  think.” 

‘‘Very  well.  Where  are  the  three  hundred 
and  fifty  remaining?  ” 

“ Dear  knows,  for  I don’t,”  was  the  young 
man’s  reply. 

“ What  does  your  account  book  say  ? ” 

“ Account  book ! I don’t  keep  an  account 
Dook.  I never  dreamed  of  such  a thing.” 

“ That  is  strange  ! Why,  I keep  my  own  cash 
account  as  carefully  as  I do  my  employer’s.” 

“ I don’t  know  any  particular  good  that  does,” 
said  the  young  man.  “ Keeping  an  account  of 
your  money  doesn’t  make  it  go  any  further.” 

“ O,  yes,  it  does.  Keep  an  account  of  every 
item  spent  for  a month,  and  read  it  over  care- 
fully on  the  first  of  the  succeeding  one,  and  my 
word  for  it,  if  you  have  any  disposition  to  pru- 
dence in  you,  it  will  cause  you  to  be  more  care- 
ful of  your  money ; for  you  will  see  there  the 


30 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


haunting  ghosts  of  too  many  dollars  spent  in 
foolish  self-indulgence,  the  pleasures  of  which  en- 
dured but  for  a brief  season,  and  left  you  a less 
contented  mind  than  you  had  previously  enjoyed. 
In  a little  while,  such*  account  keeping,  if  you 
adopt  it,  will  show  you  where  your  three  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars  a year  have  gone.  My  reason 
for  asking  you  the  question  was  this  : one  of  the 
best  opportunities  for  going  into  a safe  and 
profitable  business  that  I have  yet  seen,  has 
ust  presented  itself.  To  enter  into  it  will  re- 
quire a capital  of  two  thousand  dollars.  I have 
laid  by  a thousand,  and  fully  believed  you  had 
accumulated  as  much,  and  that  jointly  we  might 
improve  so  rare  an  opportunity.  But  this,  I am 
sorry  to  find,  is  not  the  case.  I must  seek  for 
some  one  else  who  has  the  sum  that  is  needed.” 

This  lesson  the  young  man  laid  to  heart,  and 
profited  by  it.  From  that  day,  he  kept  a regular 
account  of  his  expenses,  and  soon  found  that, 
with  the  data  it  afforded,  and  a little  resolution 
and  self-denial,  he  could  lay  up  money  — a thing 
he  had  before  deemed  impossible. 

A good  resolution,  perhaps  the  best  a young 
man  can  form  on  this  subject,  is  always  to  live 
below  his  income,  let  it  be  what  it  will.  It  may 
require,  in  some  cases,  a good  deal  of  self-denial 
to  do  this ; but  such  self-denial  will  be  well  ie- 


A COMMON  ERROR  OF  YOUl'fG  MEN.  31 

paid.  We  know  a young  man,  who,  at  the  age 
of  twenty-two,  married,  while  his  income  was 
but  ten  dollars  a week.  Instead  of  renting  a 
whole  house  and  going  in  debt  for  furniture,  he 
rented  a single  room  in  the  house  of  a friend, 
with  the  privilege  of  the  kitchen,  for  about  fifty 
dollars  a year.  His  resolution  had  long  before 
been  taken  that  he  would  always  manage  to 
spend  less  than  he  received,  and  he  chose  this 
modest  style  of  living  as  a means  of  attaining 
his  end.  None  of  his  friends  or  acquaintances 
thought  the  less  of  him  for  his  prudence,  but 
rather  commended  him.  By  living  thus  econom- 
ically, he  was  able  to  lay  by  a hundred  dollars 
during  the  first  year,  and  the  same  for  two  or 
three  years  longer.  Then  a good  opportunity 
offered  for  going  into  business,  which  was  em- 
braced. Some  ten  years  since  that  period  have 
elapsed,  and  he  has  just  retired  with  a snug  little 
competence  of  forty  or  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

This  habit  of  living  up  to  the  income  seems 
to  be  the  bane  of  all  success.  The  cause  of  it  is 
not  in  a small  income,  but  in  unsatisfied  desires. 
The  young  man  who  spends  his  salary  of  four 
or  five  hundred  dollars,  is  almost  sure  to  run 
through  every  thing  he  receives  when  that  salary 
is  doubled.  The  gratification  of  one  desire  only 
makes  way  for  another  still  more  exacting  It 


32 


ADVICE  TO  /OUNG  MEN 


is,  therefore,  of  the  first  importance  for  a young 
man  to  guard  himself  here ; if  he  do  not,  he  is  in 
danger  of  forming  a habit  that  will  go  with  him 
through  life,  and  mar  his  fairest  prospects.  The 
prospects  of  thousands  have  been  thus  marred. 

A still  worse  error  than  spending  the  entire 
income,  and  one  the  effects  of  which  are  far  more 
blighting  to  a young  man’s  worldly  prospects,  is 
that  of  living  beyond  the  income,  either  under 
the  doubtful  hope  that  it  will  be  increased  next 
year  equal  to  the  deficit  of  the  present,  or  from 
the  neglect  of  keeping  a careful  eye  upon  the 
relation  existing  between  receipts  and  expendi- 
tures. The  most  common  way  in  which  this 
going  beyond  the  income  occurs,  is  in  making 
purchases  on  credit,  instead  of  buying  every 
thing  for  cash.  If  a want  is  felt,  and  the  means 
of  satisfying  it  are  not  in  hand,  the  true  way  is 
to  wait  until  such  means  are  received,  rather  than 
anticipate  their  receipt  by  running  in  debt.  At 
the  beginning  of  a quarter,  too  many  make  pur- 
chases to  be  paid  at  its  expiration,  instead  of 
waiting  until  its  close,  and  then,  with  cash  in 
hand,  buying  just  what  they  want,  and  no  more. 
Their  salaries  are  received  and  paid  all  away  for 
clothes  worn,  and  board  due,  and  they  left  to 
anticipate  another  quarter’s  income  long  before 
it  comes  into  their  hands. 


A COMMON  ERROR  OF  YOUNG  MEN.  33 

Going  in  debt  for  clothing  is  a very  common, 
but  a very  foolish  practice.  No  one  does  it, 
who  is  not  compelled  to  pay  at  least  from  ten  to 
twenty  per  cent,  more  than  he  would  if  he  always 
paid  the  cash  down ; and  he  is,  besides,  tempted 
to  buy  more  than  he  otherwise  would,  and  to 
choose  more  expensive  materials  for  his  garments. 
Then,  while  his  six  or  twelve  months’  account 
is  running  on  toward  maturity,  he  is  spending, 
• little  by  little,  foolishly,  the  money  that  ought 
to  be  hoarded  for  its  payment ; and  when  due  day 
comes,  he  too  often  finds  it  impossible  to  satisfy 
the  large  demand  against  him,  unless  by  borrow- 
ing from  a friend,  or  getting  an  advance  on  his 
salary.  Does  all  this  make  him  feel  any  hap- 
pier ? Is  the  consciousness  of  being  in  debt  so 
very  pleasant  to  a sensitive  and  honest  mind  ! 
One  would  think  that  a young  man’s  natural 
pride  of  independence  would  cause  him  to  shrink 
from  such  a position,  and  use  every  means  in  his 
power  to  avoid  it,  instead  of  going  into  it  with 
his  eyes  open,  as  so  many  do. 

It  is  wiser  and  more  honorable  for  a man  to 
wear  his  coat  three  or  six  months  longer,  until 
he  have  the  money  with  which  to  buy  a new 
one,  than  it  is  to  go  in  debt  for  the  garment, 
and  thus  lay  a tax  upon  his  future  income,  or 
run  the  risk  of  not  being  able  to  pay  for  what 
3 


34 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


he  has  worn,  at  the  time  agreed  upon  A com- 
mon subject  of  remark  among  young  men  is 
their  tailors’  bills,  and  the  difficulty  of  paying 
them.  For  a young  man,  with  a fixed  salary, 
and  only  himself  to  support,  to  have  any  tailor’s 
bill  at  all,  is  no  good  sign,  and  speaks  badly  of 
his  habits  and  future  prospects. 

Debt  — debt!  A young  man  is  mad,  we  had 
almost  said,  to  go  in  debt  under  any  pretext 
whatever.  We  remember  a bookbinder  who, 
from  intemperance,  got  into  debt ; on  reforming, 
he  lived  on  broken  crackers,  at  a cent  or  two  a 
pound,  with  tea  made  in  his  glue-ketcle  — he 
sleeping  at  night  in  the  shaving-tub  ; and  this 
economical  mode  of  living  was  continued  until 
he  got  out  of  debt.  How  much  better  would  it 
have  been  to  have  lived  thus  abstemiously,  in 
order  to  have  kept  out  of  debt,  had  the  neces- 
sity for  so  doing  existed  ! Almost  any  sacrifice 
of  pride,  feeling,  and  comfort,  should  be  made  by 
a young  man,  rather  than  go  in  debt ; for,  once 
get  behindhand,  and  it  seems  next  to  . impossi- 
ble ever  to  recover  yourself.  You  may  toil  early 
and  late,  and  yet  it  will  seem  all  in  vain ; and  if 
you  do,  at  length,  get  your  feet  on  firm  ground, 
it  will  be  by  the  severest  struggles,  or  by  what 
seems  a happy  accident. 

The  facilitv  with  which  young  men  of  fail 


A COMMON  ERROR  OF  YOUNG  MEN,  35 


character  can  ge  credit,  is  a great  temptation 
to  many,  who  feel  that  it  is  a very  pleasant  thing 
to  get  all  they  want,  even  without  a dollar  in 
their  pockets,  and  have  four,  five,  or  six  months 
given  them  to  pay  the  bill  in.  How  utterly  un- 
conscious do  they  seem  of  the  shortness  of  the 
period  of  six  months ! They  look  at  it  ahead, 
and  it  seems  afar  off,  and  approaching  with  but 
a slow  pace.  Ere  they  are  aware,  however,  it  is 
upon  them,  and,  they  too  often  find,  upon  them 
much  too  soon. 

This  taxing  the  efforts  of  the  future  to  pay 
for  the  expenditures  of  the  present,  is  a folly 
so  apparent  that  one  would  think  even  a child 
must  see  and  avoid  it  as  a great  evil.  No  one 
knows  what  is  in  the  future,  nor  what  will  be 
his  future  ability  to  meet  even  his  current  ex- 
penditures, much  less  to  take  up  the  burdens  of 
former  times.  If  in  the  present  we  find  it  hard 
to  provide  for  all  our  present  wants,  surely  there 
should  arise  a dictate  in  regard  to  the  future, 
and  a carefulness  how  we  lay  upon  next  year 
not  only  its  own  burdens,  but  a portion  of  those 
which  belong  to  this.  Ki  w does  a young  man 
know,  when  he  contracts  a debt  to  be  paid  in 
six  months,  that  long  before  that  time  sickness, 
or  the  reduction  of  his  income,  may  not  make  n 
very  hard  for  him  to  meet  even  his  bare  expenses 


36 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


then  much  less  pay  a bill  contracted  for  previous 
necessities,  or,  more  probably,  self-indulgence  in 
something  that  a wise  forethought  would  have 
prompted  him  to  do  without  ? 

Not  the  least  annoying  and  mortifying  of  the 
inseparable  accompaniments  of  debt  is  the  liability 
to  have  demands  made  for  money  at  times  when  it 
is  utterly  impossible  to  satisfy  them.  How  often 
is  the  honest  intention  hurt,  the  pride  fired,  or  a 
hopeful  confidence  in  life  chilled,  by  such  sudden 
and  imperative  demands  ! 

Since  writing  what  precedes  in  this  chapter,  a 
book  has  been  published,  entitled  “Self-Help,” 
by  Samuel  Smiles,  author  of  u The  Life  of  George 
Stephenson,”  from  which  we  make  an  extract  on 
the  subjects  of  economy,  debt,  living  within  the 
means,  and  kindred  subjects,  that  is  so  full  of  right 
views  that  we  ask  for  it  a very  thoughtful  perusal. 
We  also  recommend  the  book  to  every  young  man 
who  desires  to  rise  into  usefulness  and  eminent 
positions. 

“Every  man  ought  so  to  contrive  as  to  live 
within  his  means.  This  practice  is  of  the  very 
essence  of  honesty.  For  if  a man  do  not  manage 
honestly  to  live  within  his  own  means,  he  must 
necessarily  be  living  dishonestly  upon  the  means 
of  somebody  else.  Those  who  are  careless  about 
personal  expenditure,  and  consider  merely  their 


A COMMON  ERROR  OF  YOUNG  MEN.  37 


own  gratification,  without  regard  for  the  comfort 
of  others,  generally  find  out  the  real  uses  of  money 
when  it  is  too  late.  Though  by  nature  generous, 
these  thriftless  persons  are  often  driven  in  the  end 
to  do  very  shabby  things.  They  dawdle  with  their 
money  as  with  their  time  ; draw  bills  upon  the 
future;  anticipate  their  earnings;  and  are  thus 
under  the  necessity  of  dragging  after  them  a load 
of  debts  and  obligations  which  seriously  affect  their 
action  as  free  and  independent  men.  The  loose 
cash  which  many  persons  throw  away  uselessly, 
and  worse,  would  often  form  a basis  of  fortune  and 
independence  for  life.  These  wasters  are  their 
own  worst  enemies,  though  generally  found 
amongst  the  ranks  of  those  who  rail  at  the  injus- 
tice of  “ the  world.”  But  if  a man  will  not  be  his 
own  friend,  how  can  he  expect  that  others  will  ? 
Orderly  men  of  moderate  means  have  always  some- 
thing left  in  their  pockets  to  help  others;  whereas 
your  prodigal  and  careless  fellows  who  spend  all, 
never  find  an  opportunity  for  helping  anybody. 
It  is  poor  economy,  however,  to  be  a scrub. 
Narrow-mindedness  in  living  and  in  dealing  is 
generally  short-sighted,  and  leads  to  failure.  The 
penny  soul,  it  is  said,  never  came  to  two-pence. 
Generosity  and  liberality,  like  honesty,  prove  the 
best  policy  after  all.  Though  Jenkinson,  in  the 
u Vicar  of  Wakefield,”  cheated  his  kind-hearted 


38 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


neighbor  Flamborough  in  one  way  or  another 
every  year,  “ Flamborough/’  he  says,  “ has  been 
regularly  growing  in  riches,  while  I have  come  to 
poverty  and  a jail.”  And  practical  life  abounds  in 
cases  of  brilliant  results  from  a course  of  generous, 
honest  policy. 

" The  proverb  says  that  e an  empty  bag  cannot 
stand  upright  / neither  can  a man  who  is  in  debt. 
Debt  makes  everything  a temptation.  It  lowers 
a man  in  self-respect,  places  him  at  the  mercy  of 
his  tradesman  and  his  servant,  and  renders  him  a 
slave  in  many  respects,  for  he  can  no  longer  call 
himself  his  own  master,  nor  boldly  look  the  world 
in  the  face.  It  is  also  difficult  for  a man  who  is 
in  debt  to  be  truthful ) hence  it  is  said  that  lying 
rides  on  debt’s  back.  The  debtor  has  to  frame 
excuses  to  his  creditor  for  postponing  payment  of 
the  money  he  owes  him ; and  probably  also  to 
contrive  falsehoods.  It  is  easy  enough  for  a man 
who  will  exercise  a healthy  resolution,  to  avoid  in- 
curring the  first  obligation ) but  the  facility  with 
which  that  has  been  incurred  often  becomes  a 
temptation  to  a second ; and  very  soon  the  unfor- 
tunate borrower  becomes  so  entangled  that  no  late 
exertion  of  industry  can  set  him  free.  The  first 
step  in  debt  is  like  the  first  step  in  falsehood ; 
almost  involving  the  necessity  of  proceeding  in  the 
same  course,  debt  following  debt,  as  lie  follows 


A COMMON  ERROR  OF  YOUNG  MEN.  39 


lie.  Haydon,  the  painter,  dated  his  decline  from 
the  day  on  which  he  first  borrowed  money.  He 
realized  the  truth  of  the  proverb,  ‘ Who  goes  a- 
borrowing,  goes  a-sorrowing/  The  significant 
entry  in  his  diary  is  : 1 Here  began  debt  and  ob- 
ligation, out  of  which  I have  never  been  and 
never  shall  be  extricated  as  long  as  I live/  Hay- 
don had  long  been  accustomed  to  borrow  money 
from  his  poor  father,  which,  however,  he  did  not 
include  in  his  obligations.  Far  different  was  the 
noble  spirit  displayed  by  Fichte,  who  said,  when 
struggling  with  poverty,  1 For  years  I have  never 
accepted  a farthing  from  my  parents,  because  1 
have  seven  sisters  who  are  all  young,  and  in  part 
uneducated  ; and  because  I have  a father  who, 
were  I to  allow  it,  would  in  his  kindness  bestow 
upon  me  that  which  belongs  by  right  to  his  other 
children/  For  the  same  high-minded  reason, 
Fichte  even  refused  to  accept  presents  from  his 
poor  parents. 

“Dr.  Johnson  held  that  early  debt  is  ruin. 
His  words  on  the  subject  are  weighty,  and  worthy 
of  being  held  in  remembrance.  * Do  not/  said 
he,  1 accustom  yourself  to  consider  debt  only  as  an 
inconvenience  ; you  will  find  it  a calamity.  Pov- 
erty takes  away  so  many  means  of  doing  good, 
and  produces  so  much  inability  to  resist  evil,  both 
natural  and  moral,  that  it  is  by  all  virtuous  means 


40 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


to  be  avoided.  . . . Let  it  be  your  first  care, 

then,  not  to  be  in  any  man’s  debt.  Resolve  not 
to  be  poor;  whatever  you  have,  spend  less.  Pov- 
erty is  a great  enemy  to  human  happiness ; it  cer- 
tainly destroys  liberty,  and  it  makes  some  virtues 
impracticable  and  others  extremely  difficult.  Fru- 
gality is  not  only  the  basis  of  quiet,  but  of  benefi- 
cence. No  man  can  help  others  that  wants  help 
himself ; we  must  have  enough  before  we  have  to 
spare/ 

“ It  is  the  bounden  duty  of  every  man  to  look 
his  affairs  in  the  face,  and  to  keep  an  account  of 
his  incomings  and  outgoings  in  money  matters. 
The  exercise  of  a little  simple  arithmetic  in  this 
way  will  be  found  of  great  value.  Prudence  re- 
quires that  we  shall  pitch  our  scale  of  living  to  a 
degree  below  our  means,  rather  than  up  to  them ; 
but  this  can  only  be  done  by  carrying  out  faith- 
fully a plan  of  living  by  which  both  ends  may  be 
made  to  meet.  John  Locke  strongly  advised  this 
course  : ‘Nothing/  said  he,  £is  likelier  to  keep  a 
man  within  compass  than  having  constantly  before 
his  eyes  the  state  of  his  affairs  in  a regular  course 
of  account/  The  Duke  of  Wellington  kept  an 
accurate  detailed  account  of  all  the  moneys  re- 
ceived and  expended  by  him.  1 1 make  a point/ 
said  he  to  Mr.  Gleig,  ‘ of  paying  my  own  bills, 
and  I advise  every  one  to  do  the  same  ; formerly, 


A COMMON  ERROR  OF  YOUNG  MEN.  41 


I used  to  trust  a confidential  servant  to  pay  them, 
but  I was  cure.d  of  that  folly  by  receiving  one 
morning,  to  my  great  surprise,  duns  of  a year  or 
two’s  standing.  The  fellow  had  speculated  with 
my  money,  and  left  my  bills  unpaid.’  Talking 
of  debt,  his  remark  was,  1 It  makes  a slave  of  a 
man.  I have  often  known  what  it  was  to  be  in 
want  of  money,  but  I never  got  into  debt.’ 
Washington  was  as  particular  as  Wellington  was, 
in  matters  of  business  detail ; and  it  is  a remark- 
able fact,  that  he  did  not  disdain  to  scrutinize  the 
smallest  outgoings  of  his  household — determined 
as  he  was  to  live  honestly  within  his  means — even 
while  holding  the  high  office  of  President  of  the 
American  Union. 

“ Admiral  Jervis,  Earl  St.  Vincent,  has  told  the 
story  of  his  early  struggles,  and,  amongst  other 
things,  of  his  determination  to  keep  out  of  debt. 
1 My  father  had  a very  large  family,’  said  he, 
1 with  limited  means.  Tie  gave  me  twenty  pounds 
at  starting,  and  that  was  all  he  ever  gave  me. 
After  I had  been  a considerable  time  at  the  sta- 
tion [at  sea],  I drew  for  twenty  more,  but  the  bill 
came  back  protested.  I was  mortified  at  this  re- 
buke, and  made  a promise  which  I have  ever  kept, 
that  I would  never  draw  another  bill  without  a cer- 
tainty of  its  being  paid.  I immediately  changed  my 
mode  of  living,  quitted  my  mess,  lived  alone,  and 


42 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


took  up  the  ship’s  allowance,  which  I found  quite 
sufficient;  washed  and  mended  my  own  clothes; 
made  a pair  of  trousers  out  of  the  ticking  of  my 
bed ; and  having  by  these  means  saved  as  much 
money  as  would  redeem  my  honor,  I took  up  my 
bill ; and  from  that  time  to  this  I have  taken  care 
to  keep  within  my  means.’  Jervis  for  six  years 
endured  pinching  privation,  but  preserved  his  in- 
tegrity, studied  his  profession  with  success,  and 
gradually  and  steadily  rose  by  merit  and  bravery 
to  the  highest  rank.  Samuel  Drew’s  first  lesson 
in  economy  is  thus  described  by  himself : ‘ When 
I was  a boy,  I somehow  got  a few  pence,  and 
coming  into  St.  Austell,  on  a fair-day,  laid  out  all 
on  a purse.  My  empty  purse  often  reminded  me 
of  my  folly  : and  the  recollection  has  since  been 
as  useful  to  me  as  Franklin’s  whistle  was  to  him.’ 
“ It  is  a great  point  for  young  men  to  begin 
well ; for  it  is  in  the  beginning  of  life  that  that 
system  of  conduct  is  adopted  which  soon  assumes 
the  force  of  habit.  Begin  well,  and  the  habit  of 
doing  well  will  become  quite  as  easy  as  the  habit 
of  doing  badly.  Well  begun  is  half  ended,  says 
the  proverb  ; and  a good  beginning  is  half  the 
battle.  Many  promising  young  men  have  irre- 
trievably injured  themselves  by  a first  false  step 
at  the  commencement  of  life  ; while  others  of 
much  les3  promising  talents,  have  succeeded  sim- 


A COMMON  ERROR  OF  YOUNG  MEN.  43 


ply  by  beginning  well,  and  going  onward.  The 
good  practical  beginning  is,  to  a certain  extent,  a 
pledge,  a promise,  and  an  assurance,  of  the  ulti- 
mate prosperous  issue.  There  is  many  a poor 
creature,  now  crawling  through  life,  miserable 
himself  and  the  cause  of  sorrow  to  others,  who 
might  have  lifted  up  his  head  and  prospered,  if, 
instead  of  merely  satisfying  himself  with  resolu- 
tions of  well-doing,  he  had  actually  gone  to  work 
and  made  a good  practical  beginning. 

“ Too  many  are,  however,  impatient  of  results. 
They  are  not  satisfied  to  begin  where  their  fathers 
did,  but  where  they  left  off.  They  think  to  enjoy 
the  fruits  of  industry  without  working  for  them. 
They  cannot  wait  for  the  results  of  labor  and  ap- 
plication, but  forestall  them  by  too  early  indul- 
gence. A worthy  Scotch  couple,  when  asked  how 
their  son  had  broken  down  so  early  in  life,  gave 
the  following  explanation  : 1 When  we  began  life 
together,  we  worked  hard,  and  lived  upon  porridge 
and  such  like,  gradually  adding  to  our  comforts 
as  our  means  improved,  until  we  were  able  at 
length  to  dine  off  a bit  of  roast  meat,  and  some- 
times a boilt  chuckie  (or  fowl)  ; but  as  for  Jock, 
our  son,  he  began  where  we  had  left  off — he  began 
wi’  the  chuckie  first.’  The  same  illustration  will 
apply  to  higher  conditions  of  life  than  that  of  this 
humble  pair. 


44 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


11  Mr.  Hume  hit  the  mark  when  he  once  stated 
in  the  House  of  Commons — though  his  words  were 
followed  by  ‘ laughter’ — that  the  tone  of  living 
in  England  is  altogether  too  high.  Middle  class 
people  are  too  apt. to  live  up  to  their  incomes,  if 
not  beyond  them  ; affecting  a degree  of  ‘ style’ 
which  is  most  unhealthy  in  its  effect  upon  society 
at  large.  There  is  an  ambition  to  bring  up  boys 
as  gentlemen,  or  rather  1 genteel’  men;  though 
the  result  frequently  is,  only  to  make  them  gents. 
They  acquire  a taste  for  dress,  style,  luxuries,  and 
amusements,  which  can  never  form  any  solid 
foundation  for  manly  or  gentlemanly  character ; 
and  the  result  is,  that  we  have  a vast  number  of 
gingerbread  young  gentry  thrown  upon  the  world, 
who  remind  one  of  the  abandoned  hulls  some- 
times picked  up  at  sea,  with  only  a monkey  on 
board. 

“ There  is  a dreadful  ambition  abroad  for  being 
1 genteel.’  We  keep  up  appearances,  too  often 
at  the  expense  of  honesty;  and,  though  we  may 
not  be  rich,  yet  we  must  seem  to  be  so.  We  must 
be  ‘ respectable,’  though  only  in  the  meanest 
sense — in  mere  vulgar  outward  show.  We  have 
not  the  courage  to  go  patiently  onward  in  the  con- 
dition of  life  in  which  it  has  pleased  God  to  call 
us ; but  must  needs  live  in  some  fashionable  state 
to  which  we  ridiculously  please  to  call  ourselves, 


A COMMON  ERROR  OF  YOUNG  MEN.  45 

and  all  to  gratify  the  vanity  of  that  unsubstantial 
genteel  world. of  which  we  form  a part.  There  is 
a constant  struggle  and  pressure  for  front  seats  in 
the  social  amphitheatre;  in  the  midst  of  which  all 
noble  self-denying  resolve  is  trodden  down,  and 
many  fine  natures  are  inevitably  crushed  to  death. 
What  waste,  what  misery,  what  bankruptcy,  come 
from  all  this  ambition  to  dazzle  others  with  the 
glare  of  apparent  worldly  success,  we  need  not  de- 
scribe. The  mischievous  results  show  themselves 
in  a thousand  ways — in  the  rank  frauds  committed 
by  men  who  dare  to  be  dishonest,  but  do  not  dare 
to  seem  poor;  and  in  the  desperate  dashes  at  for- 
tune, in  which  the  pity  is  not  so  much  for  those 
who  fail,  as  for  the  hundreds  of  innocent  families 
who  are  so  often  involved  in  their  ruin. 

“ The  late  Sir  Charles  Napier  in  taking  leave 
of  his  command  in  India,  did  a bold  and  honest 
thing  in  publishing  his  strong  protest,  embodied 
in  his  last  General  Order  to  the  officers  of  the  In- 
dian army,  against  the  1 fast’  life  led  by  so  many 
young  officers  in  that  service,  involving  them  in  ig- 
nominious obligations.  Sir  Charles  strongly  urged, 
in  that  famous  document — what  had  almost  been 
lost  sight  of — that  ‘ honesty  is  inseparable  from 
the  character  of  a thorough-bred  gentleman and 
that  1 to  drink  unpaid-for  champagne  and  unpaid- 
for  beer,  and  to  ride  unpaid-for  horses,  is  to  be  a 


46 


ADVICE  TO  TOTJNG  MEN. 


cheat,  and  not  a gentleman/  Men  who  lived  be- 
yond their  means,  and  were  summoned,  often  by 
their  own  servants* before  Courts  of  Requests  for 
debts  contracted  in  extravagant  living,  might  be 
officers  by  virtue  of  their  commissions,  but  they 
were  not  gentlemen.  The  habit  of  being  con- 
stantly in  debt,  the  commander-in-chief  held, 
made  men  grow  callous  to  the  proper  feelings  of  a 
gentleman.  It  was  not  enough  that  an  officer 
should  be  able  to  fight ; that  any  bull-dog  could 
do.  But  did  he  hold  his  word  inviolate — did  he 
pay  his  debts  ? These  were  among  the  points  of 
honor  which,  he  insisted,  illuminated  the  true 
gentleman’s  and  soldier’s  career.  As  Bayard  was 
of  old,  so  would  Sir  Charles  Napier  have  all  British 
officers  to  be.  He  knew  them  to  be  1 without 
fear,’  but  he  would  also  have  them  ‘without  re- 
proach.’ There  are,  however,  many  gallant  young 
fellows,  both  in  India  and  at  home,  capable  of 
mounting  a breach  on  an  emergency  amidst  belch- 
ing  fire,  and  of  performing  the  most  desperate 
deeds  of  valor,  who  nevertheless  cannot  or  will  not 
exercise  the  moral  courage  necessary  to  enable 
them  to  resist  a petty  temptation  presented  to 
their  senses.  They  cannot  utter  their  valiant 
‘No,’  or  ‘I  can’t  afford  it,’  to  the  invitations 
of  pleasure  and  self-enjoyment;  and  they  are  found 


A COMMON  ERROR  OF  YOUNG  MEN.  47 

ready  to  brave  death  rather  than  the  ridicule  of 
their  companions. 

“ The  young  man,  as  he  passes  through  life, 
advances  through  a long  line  of  tempters  ranged 
on  either  side  of  him;  and  the  inevitable  effect  of 
yielding,  is  degradation  in  a greater  or  less  degree. 
Contact  with  them  tends  insensibly  to  draw  away 
from  him  some  portion  of  the  divine  electric  ele- 
ment with  which  his  nature  is  charged  ; and  his 
only  mode  of  resisting  them  is  to  utter  and  to  act 
out  his  ‘No*  manfully  and  resolutely.  He  must 
decide  at  once,  not  waiting  to  deliberate  and 
balance  reasons;  for  the  youth,  like  ‘ the  woman 
who  deliberates,  is  lost/  Many  deliberate,  with- 
out deciding ; but  1 not  to  resolve,  is  to  resolve/ 
A perfect  knowledge  of  man  is  in  the  prayer, 
1 Lead  us  not  into  temptation/  But  temptation 
will  come  to  try  the  young  man’s  strength : 
and  once  yielded  to,  the  power  to  resist  grows 
weaker  and  weaker.  Yield  once,  and  a portion 
of  virtue  has  gone.  Resist  manfully,  and  the  first 
decision  will  give  strength  for  life;  repeated,  it 
will  become  a habit.  It  is  in  the  outworks  of  the 
habits  formed  in  early  life  that  the  real  strength 
of  the  defence  must  lie ; for  it  has  been  wisely  or- 
dained that  the  machinery  of  moral  existence 
should  be  carried  on  principally  through  the 
medium  of  the  habits,  so  as  to  save  the  wear  and 


48 


ADVICE  TO  YOt/NG  MEN. 


tear  of  the  great  principles  within.  Tt  is  good 
habits,  which  insinuate  themselves  into  tlfe 
thousand  inconsiderable  acts  of  life  that  really 
constitute  by  far  the  greater  part  of  man’s  moral 
conduct. 

“ Hugh  Miller  has  told  how,  by  an  act  of  youth- 
ful decision,  he  saved  himself  from  one  of  the 
strong  temptations  so  peculiar  to  a life  of  toil. 
When  employed  as  a mason,  it  was  usual  for  his 
fellow-workmen  to  have  an  occasional  treat  of 
drink,  and  one  day  two  glasses  of  whiskey  fell  to 
his  share,  which  he  swallowed.  When  he  reached 
home,  he  found,  on  opening  his  favorite  book, 
1 Bacon’s  Essays,’  that  the  letters  danced  before 
his  eyes,  and  that  he  could  no  longer  master  the 
sense.  ‘ The  condition,’  he  says,  ‘ into  which  I 
had  brought  myself  was,  I felt,  one  of  degradation. 
I had  sunk,  by  my  own  act,  for  the  time  to  a 
lower  level  of  intelligence  than  that  on  which  it 
was  my  privilege  to  be  placed  \ and  though  the 
state  could  have  been  no  very  favorable  one  for 
forming  a resolution,  I in  that  hour  determined 
that  I should  never  again  sacrifice  my  capacity  of 
intellectual  enjoyment  to  a drinking  usage ) and 
with  God’s  help,  I was  enabled  to  hold  by  the  de- 
termination.’ It  is  such  decisions  as  this  that 
often  form  the  turning-points  in  a man’s  life,  and 
furnish  the  foundation  of  his  future  character. 


A COMMON  ERRCR  OF  YOUNG  MEN.  49 


And  this  rock,  on  which  Hugh  Miller  might  have 
been  wrecked,  if  he  had  not  at  the  right  moment 
put  forth  his  moral  strength  to  strike  away  from 
it,  is  one  that  youth  and  manhood  alike  need  to 
be  constantly  on  their  guard  against.  It  is  about 
one  of  the  worst  and  most  deadly,  as  well  as  ex- 
travagant, temptations  which  lie  in  the  way  of 
youth.  Sir  Walter  Scott  used  to  say,  ‘ that  of  all 
vices  drinking  is  the  most  incompatible  with  great- 
' ness/  Not  only  so,  but  it  is  incompatible  with 
economy,  decency,  health,  and  honest  living. 
When  a youth  cannot  restrain,  he  must  abstain. 
Dr.  Johnson's  case  is  the  case  of  many.  He  said, 
referring  to  his  own  habits,  ( Sir,  I can  abstain  ; 
but  I can't  be  moderate.' 

“ But  to  wrestle  vigorously  and  successfully 
with  any  vicious  habit,  we  must  not  merely  be 
satisfied  with  contending  on  the  low  ground  of 
worldly  prudence,  though  that  is  of  use,  but  take 
stand  upon  a higher  moral  elevation.  Mechanical 
aids,  such  as  pledges,  may  be  of  service  to  some, 
but  the  great  thing  is  to  set  up  a high  standard 
of  thinking  and  acting,  and  endeavor  to  strengthen 
and  purify  the  principles,  as  well  as  to  reform  the 
habits.  For  this  purpose  a youth  must  study 
himself,  watch  his  steps,  and  compare  his  thoughts 
and  acts  with  his  rule.  The  more  knowledge  of 

himself  he  gains,  the  humbler  will  he  be,  and 

4 


50 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


perhaps  the  less  confident  in  his  own  strength. 
But  the  discipline  will  be  found  most  valuable 
which  is  acquired  by  resisting  small  present 
gratifications  to  secure  a prospective  greater  and 
higher  one.  It  is  the  noblest  work  in  self-educa- 
tion— for 

1 Real  glory 

Springs  from  the  silent  conquest  of  ourselves, 

And  without  that  the  conqueror  is  nought 
But  the  first  slave.’ 

“ Many  popular  books  have  been  written  for  the 
purpose  of  communicating  to  the  public  the  grand 
secret  of  making  money.  But  there  is  no  secret 
whatever  about  it,  as  the  proverbs  of  every  nation 
abundantly  testify.  ‘ Many  a little  makes  a meikle/ 
‘ Take  care  of  the  pennies  and  the  pounds  will 
take  care  of  themselves/  ‘ A penny  saved  is  a 
penny  gained/  ‘ Diligence  is  the  mother  of  good- 
luck/  ‘No  pains  no  gains/  ‘No  sweat  no  sweet/ 
‘Sloth,  the  key  of  poverty/  ‘Work,  and  thou 
shalt  have/  ‘ He  who  will  not  work,  neither 
shall  he  eat/  ‘ The  world  is  his,  who  has  patience 
and  industry/  ‘ It  is  too  late  to  spare  when  all 
is  spent/  ‘ Better  go  to  bed  supperless  than  rise 
in  debt/  ‘The  morning  hour  has  gold  in  its 
mouth/  ‘ Credit  keeps  the  crown  of  the  cause- 
way/ Such  are  specimens  of  the  proverbial  philo- 
sophy, embodying  the  hoarded  experience  of  many 


A COMMON  ERROR  OF  YOUNG  MEN.  51 

generations,  as  to  the  best  means  of  thriving  in 
the  world.  They  were  current  in  people's  mouths 
long  before  books  were  invented  ; and  like  other 
popular  proverbs,  they  were  the  first  codes  of 
popular  morals.  Moreover,  they  have  stood  the 
test  of  time,  and  the  experience  of  every  day  still 
bears  witness  to  their  accuracy,  force,  and  sound- 
ness. The  proverbs  of  Solomon  are  full  of  wisdom, 
as  to  the  force  of  industry,  and  the  use  and  abuse 
of  money  : 1 He  that  is  slothful  in  work  is  brother 
to  him  that  is  a great  waster.'  1 Go  to  the  ant, 
thou  sluggard ; consider  her  ways  and  be  wise.' 
Poverty,  he  says,  shall  come  upon  the  idler  ( as 
one  that  traveleth,  and  want  as  an  armed  man  •' 
but  of  the  industrious  and  upright,  1 The  hand  of 
the  diligent  maketh  rich.'  ( He  who  will  not 
plough  by  reason  of  the  cold,  shall  beg  in  harvest, 
and  have  nothing.'  1 The  drunkard  and  the  glut- 
ton shall  come  to  poverty ; and  drowsiness  shall 
clothe  a man  with  rags.'  1 The  slothful  man  says 
there  is  a lion  in  the  streets.'  1 Seest  thou  a man 
diligent  in  his  business  ? he  shall  stand  before 
kings.'  But  above  all ‘ It  is  better  to  get  wisdom 
than  gold ) for  wisdom  is  better  than  rubies,  and 
all  the  things  that  may  be  desired  are  not  to  be 
compared  to  it.' " 

“ Simple  industry  and  thrift  will  go  far  toward 
making  any  person  of  ordinary  working  faculty 


Ut  OF  tlL  LIB. 


52 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


comparatively  independent  in  means.  Even  a 
working  man  may  be  so,  provided  he  will  care- 
fully husband  his  resources,  and  watch  the  little 
outlets  of  useless  expenditure.  A penny  is  a 
very  small  matter,  yet  the  comfort  of  thousands 
of  families  depends  upon  the  proper  spending  and 
saving  of  pennies.” 

We  need  not  add  a single  word  to  give  force  to 
this  admirable  presentation  of  the  subject  of  thrift 
as  connected  with  carefulness,  economy,  and  self- 
denial. 


CHAPTER  Y. 

FRIENDS  AND  ASSOCIATES. 

A WANT  of  prudence  in  the  use  of  money, 
at  the  beginning,  may  become  confirmed  into 
habits  that  will  mar  a man’s  fortunes  for  life, 
but  a want  of  due  caution  in  regard  to  our  asso- 
ciates is  fraught  with  consequences  far  more 
direful.  The  effects  of  the  first  error  are  felt 
mainly  in  the  inconveniences  and  disabilities  of 
natural  life  ; but  the  effects  of  the  latter  reach 


FRIENDS  AND  ASSOCIATES. 


53 


Tar  deeper,  and  impress  themselves  upon  man’s 
spiritual  and  substantial  part. 

The  laws  of  association  are  governed  by  men- 
tal and  moral  — or,  to  speak  more  correctly 
spiritual  — affinities,  and  are  based  upon  the  qual- 
ities of  mind  and  heart.  The  good  are  attracted 
toward  each  other,  and  the  same  thing  occurs 
with  the  evil,  when  reciprocal  interchanges  of 
thoughts  and  feelings  take  place.  Now,  in  every 
society  of  either  the  good  or  the  evil,  there  is  a 
sphere  of  the  quality  of  that  society  pervading 
the  whole ; and  all  who  come  into  it,  and  volun- 
tarily remain  there,  are  more  or  less  strongly  af- 
fected by  this  sphere,  and  think  and  feel  with 
the  rest.  Let  a man,  who  has  a respect  for  order 
and  obedience  to  the  laws,  go  into  a mob,  and 
voluntarily  remain  there  for  a time,  and  he  will 
be  surprised  to  find  his  liveliest  sympathies  on 
the  side  of  mob  law;  and  the  reason  of  it  is,  he 
feels  the  sphere  of  the  quality  of  that  mob’s  af- 
fections— he  is  in  it,  and  breathes  it,  and  feels 
an  impulse  to  act  from  it.  Who  does  not  from 
his  heart  condemn  the  reprehensible  practice  of 
steamboat  racing,  for  instance?  yet  who  has  evei 
stood  upon  the  deck  of  a noble  boat  during  a 
trial  of  speed  with  another  boat  of  nearly  equal 
or  superior  capacity,  and  among  a crowd  of 
eager  spectators,  that  has  not  forgotten  all  dan- 


54 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


ger  and  waived  all  disposition  to  censure  the 
officers  of  the  boat,  in  his  sympathy  with  the 
general  feeling? 

From  these  two  instances  may  clearly  be  seen 
the  great  importance  of  choosing,  with  care,  our 
associates.  If  we  mingle  with  those  who  make 
light  of  both  human  and  divine  laws,  we  shall  be 
led  into  the  same  error,  and  sink,  instead  of 
rising,  in  the  scale  of  moral  excellence.  But  if 
‘ we  choose  more  wisely  our  companions,  we  shall 
not  only  be  elevated  ourselves,  but  help  to  ele- 
vate others. 

In  speaking  of  the  origin,  nature,  and  destiny 
of  man,  we  showed  how,  after  attaining  the  low- 
est point  in  the  circle  of  declension  from  good, 
a return  to  true  order  had  commenced,  and  had 
been  in  progress  now  for  nearly  two  centuries. 
And  we  also  briefly  alluded,  in  another  place,  to 
the  fact,  that  the  commencement  of  every  man’s 
duties  in  aiding  this  return  began  at  the  age  of 
responsibility,  or  when  he  became  freed  from 
the  trammels  of  minorship.  And  we  will  here 
state,  that  only  just  so  far  as  each  man  elevates 
himself  by  refraining  from  all  evil  acts,  does  he, 
or  can  he,  do  any  thing  for  the  general  return  to 
true  order.  He  may  build  churches,  and  send 
forth  missionaries,  and  be  devout  in  his  obser- 
vances of  all  religious  ordinances ; but  still  he  has 


FTtlENDS  AND  ASSOCIATES. 


55 


done  nothing  in  tins  great  work,  unless  he  have 
actually  shunned  evils  in  his  own  life,  as  sins. 
If  this  be  done,  he  has  really  and  truly  removed 
evil  in  the  world,  and  made  way  for  the  influx 
of  good. 

Keeping  all  this  in  view,  — the  whole  subject 
of  his  duties  and  his  danger,  — every  young  man 
may  see  how  much  depends  upon  his  choice  of 
associates.  If  he  mingle  with  those  who  are  gov 
erned  by  right  principles,  his  own  good  purposes 
will  be  strengthened,  and  he  will  strengthen  oth- 
ers in  return.  But  if  he  mingle  with  those  who 
make  light  of  virtue,  and  revel  in  selfish  and 
sensual  indulgences,  he  will  find  his  own  respect 
for  virtue  growing  weaker,  and  he  will  gradually 
become  more  and  more  in  love  with  the  grosser 
enjoyments  of  sense,  that  drag  a man  downward, 
instead  of  lifting  him  upward,  and  throw  a mist 
of  obscurity  over  all  his  moral  perceptions. 

It  not  unfrequently  happens,  that  young  men 
— either  from  feeling  the  dangers  attendant  upon 
associations  with  others,  or  from  a natural  disin- 
clination for  society  — seclude  themselves,  and 
take  for  companions  books  and  their  own 
choughts,  becoming  hermits  in  the  very  midsf 
of  society.  This  is  an  error  that  effectually  pre- 
rents a healthy  development  of  character.  One 
of  the  first  laws  of  our  being  is  the  law  of  associ* 


56 


ADV./E  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


ation,  md  whoever  disregards  it,  disregards  not 
only  his  own,  but  the  common  good.  Society  is 
a man  in  a larger  form,  and  we  are  all  members, 
and  must  act  in  concert  with  the  rest,  and  do 
our  duty  to  the  whole,  or  we  shall  find  ourselves 
— like  a hand  that  lies  inactively  appropriating 
the  life-blood  that  flows  into  it,  without  doing 
any  thing  for  the  whole  body  — gradually  losing 
our  power,  and  withering  away  into  mental  im* 
potency. 

That  society  is  a man  in  a larger  form,  may 
be  seen  on  a moment’s  reflection.  And  as  this 
is  a very  important  truth,  upon  the  right  un- 
derstanding of  which  the  health  of  society  de- 
pends, we  will  here  endeavor  to  make  it  apparent. 
The  common  perception  that  it  is  so,  causes  the 
king,  or  supreme  officer  in  a government,  to  be 
called  the  head  of  the  nation. 

It  is  known  that  no  two  men  are  precisely 
alike  in  appearance,  disposition,  or  ability ; that 
no  two  men  are  able  to  do  the  same  thing  with 
equal  skill ; and  it  is  also  known  that  there  is 
some  one  thing  in  which  every  particular  man 
can  excel  his  fellow,  if  he  will  but  direct  to  that 
thing  all  the  powers  of  both  his  mind  and  body 
One  man  comes  into  the  province  of  the  head 
and  his  chief  delight  and  activities  consist  in 
a regard  to  things  of  government,  either  in  the 


FRIENDS  AND  ASSOCIATES. 


57 


affairs  cf  the  nation,  as  a whole,  or  in  some  one 
of  its  thousand  subdivisions  into  lesser  associa- 
tions. He  sees  ends,  causes,  and  effects  far 
more  clear  y than  his  neighbor,  who  may  be, 
perhaps,  in  the  province  of  the  hand,  and  ever 
ready  to  execute  what  others  plan.  The  one  is 
a man  of  thought,  the  other  of  execution,  and 
they  act  in  harmony  in  the  attainment  of  the 
general  good ; one  is  not  more  honorable  than 
another,  except  so  far  as  he  does  his  appropriate 
work  more  faithfully.  It  would  be  an  interesting 
task  to  trace  here  the  correspondence  between 
the  attributes  and  functions  of  common  society, 
and  those  of  the  individual  man ; but  a mere  dec- 
laration of  the  fact,  with  the  simple  and  appa- 
rent illustration  of  it  that  we  have  given,  will 
cause  it  to  strike  almost  every  one  as  true,  and 
enable  every  one  to  trace  out  this  correspondence 
for  himself.  But,  if  there  are  any  who  cannot 
comprehend  what  has  been  assumed  in  regard  to 
society  being  a man  in  a larger  form,  let  them 
consider  this  plain  proposition.  Society  is  an  ag- 
gregate of  individual  men,  and  must,  therefore, 
be  the  complex  of  those  qualities,  attributes, 
wants,  and  abilities,  which  appertain  to  individ- 
ual men  ; consequently,  society  is  a greater  man, 
and  must  be  sustained  in  health  by  an  observance 
of  the  laws  which  preserve  the  individual. 

\ 


58 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


The  conclusion  arrived  at  in  the  .ast  sentence 
is  what  we  are  particularly  desirous  of  impressing 
upon  the  minds  of  such  of  our  readers  as  feel 
inclined  to  separate  themselves  from  society,  and 
live  in  se  fish  seclusion.  All  the  members  of  the 
body  act  in  harmony : the  eye  sees  not  for  itself ; 
the  ear  hears  not  for  itself ; the  hand  works  not 
for  itself;  but  all  labor  for  the  common  good, 
while  each  part  is  sustained  from  the  whole.  If 
any  part  ceases  to  perform  its  functions,  that  part 
at  once  begins  to  suffer  decay ; its  muscles 
shrink,  its  veins  and  arteries  decrease  in  volume, 
the  blood  circulates  feebly  through  it;  it  be- 
comes weak  and  helpless,  and  affects  the  whole 
body  with  disease  more  or  less  serious,  as  the 
part  approaches  or  is  more  remote  from  the 
seat  of  life.  Just  such  will  be  the  effect  pro- 
duced in  every  case  where  a man  deliberately 
withdraws  himself  from  the  uses  of  society;  and 
the  more  serious  will  be  the  result,  the  higher  the 
function  he  is  qualified  to  fill.  The  duty  of  so- 
cial intercourse  is  not  so  imperative  as  the  duty 
of  performing  faithfully  the  work  of  our  office  in 
life,  be  it  what  it  may.  Derelictions  here,  pro- 
duce the  worst  consequences.  But,  even  where  a 
man  labors  with  diligence  in  his  ordinary  calling, 
and  is  faithful  to  all  men  in  it,  seclusion  from 
friendly  intercourse  with  his  fellows  will  seriously 


IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  MIND. 


59 


injure  him,  for  it  will  prevent  the  development 
of  those  social  « irtues  so  essenti;  1 to  the  coun- 
teraction of  that  selfishness  which  is  ever  leading 
us  to  see  no  good  in  others,  and  to  have  no  re- 
gard for  others’  happiness.  So  long  as  this  is 
felt,  we  make  no  progression  whatever  in  the  as- 
cending circle  of  return  to  true  order,  and  do 
nothing  that  really  aids  others  in  a similar  pro- 
gression. 

Let  every  young  man,  then,  seek  for  associa- 
tions in  life ; but  let  him  be  exceedingly  careful 
how  he  make  his  selection.  Almost  every  thing 
depends  upon  its  being  done  with  prudence. 


CHAPTER  VI 

IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  MIND. 

No  truth  in  science  or  morals,  nor  any  skill  oi 
accomplishment  which  a man  obtains,  is  ever  lost 
to  him.  Some  time  in  his  life  he  will  find  it  use- 
ful. Youth  is  the  season  of  acquirement,  and 
maturer  years  the  time  of  action;  and  the  action 
of  maturei  years  will  be  pe  fect  or  imperfect  m 
an  exact  ratio  with  our  iarlier  acquirements. 


60 


ADYICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


As  but  few  young  n.en  venture  upon  the  unocr 
tain  experiment  of  business  immediately  on  be- 
coming of  age,  most  of  them  have  several  years 
of  freedom  from  its  absorbing  cares,  and  an  op- 
portunity for  study,  in  which  many  things  may 
be  learned,  that  will,  some  time  in  after  life,  be 
found  of  great  importance.  The  character  of 
these  studies  should  be  governed  very  much  by 
the  particular  calling  in  which  a young  man  is 
engaged.  As,  for  instance,  if  he  have  chosen 
commercial  pursuits,  he  will  find  in  an  acquire- 
ment of  a knowledge  of  the  modern  languages 
a very  important  means  of  future  advancement, 
If  honest  and  competent  as  a clerk,  he  may  be 
selected  as  best  fitted,  from  his  acquaintance 
with  German,  French,  or  Spanish,  to  conduct  a 
voyage  as  supercargo,  that  will  not  only  mate- 
rially increase  his  income,  but  give  him  an  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  foreign  nations  and  coming  into 
actual  business  contact  with  them  — that  most 
important  means  of  enlarging  our  ideas,  correct- 
ing false  impressions,  and  maturing  our  judgments 
in  those  matters  of  the  world  that  are  so  essential 
to  success.  And  so  of  every  other  pursuit  or 
calling  in  which  a young  man  may  be  engaged. 
Some  particular  branch  of  information  will  be 
found  to  aid  materially  his  advancement  therein, 
and  secure  his  f ture  well-doing.  How  to  direct 


IMPRO\  EMENT  OF  THE  MIND.  01 

aright  his  efforts,  every  one  must  decide  for  him- 
self, from  the  circumstances  of  his  own  position. 

But  even  where  no  means  of  using  the  infor- 
mation proposed  to  be  obtained  is  presented  to 
the  mind,  every  opportunity  for  improvement 
should  be  embraced,  and  those  branches  of 
knowledge  cultivated  that  accord  best  with  the 
tastes  and  inclinations.  One  or  two  hours  of 
well-directed  study,  each  day,  will  furnish  the 
mind,  in  a few  years,  with  a vast  amount  of  in- 
formation on  all  subjects,  not  a single  item  of 
which  will  be  valueless,  but,  some  time  in  life, 
be  of  use  to  the  possessor. 

Books  of  facts  and  books  of  principles  should 
make  by  far  the  larger  portion  of  a young  man’s 
reading,  and  works  of  fancy  and  fiction  be  re- 
sorted to  only  as  mental  recreations,  or  the 
means  of  improving  the  taste.  The  first  are 
essential  to  the  formation  of  his  rational  mind ; 
they  contain  the  food  by  which  it  is  nourished, 
and  from  which  it  grows  into  maturity  and  vigor. 
If,  instead  of  this  kind  of  reading,  mere  fiction 
be  resorted  to,  a puny  intellectual  growth  will 
be  the  consequence,  and,  instead  of  there  being 
the  soundness  of  true  mental  force  and  discrimi- 
nation, there  will  be  only  the  weakness  of  a 
trifling  sentimentality.  History,  biography,  and 
travels,  furnish  the  mind  with  the  main  facts  to 


62 


ADVICE  TO  YOUN  S MEN. 


be  obtained  by  mere  read  ng,  while  the  abstruse? 
facts  of  science,  even  more  necessary  than  these 
to  be  known,  must  be  acquired  by  something 
more  than  this  superficial  mode  — by  patient 
and  laborious  study  ; but  this  patience  and  labor 
receive  a rich  reward.  Another  and  equally  im- 
portant branch  of  reading  is  that  of  mental  and 
moral  philosophy.  There  is  danger  here  of  ac- 
quiring false  views;  for  these  abound  in  nearly 
every  philosophical  work  extant.  History  re- 
cords the  naked  facts  that  have  transpired ; biog- 
raphy tells  the  story  of  a man’s  life;  and  the  book 
of  travel  opens  up  to  us  the  manners,  customs, 
and  peculiarities  of  other  nations.  We  read 
them  all,  and  form  our  own  conclusions  from  the 
facts  stated.  But  books  of  philosophy  come  to 
us  as  grave  teachers,  with  precepts  for  our  gov- 
ernment in  actual  life.  They  assume  to  under- 
stand the  constituents  of  the  human  mind,  and 
to  lay  down  laws  for  its  government.  Of  these 
books  there  are  many,  and  all  with  systems  more 
or  less  variant  with  each  other.  They  cannot  all 
be  true,  of  course.  “ What,  then,  am  I to  do  1 
Who  is  to  lead  me  into  a true  system  of  philoso- 
phy'?” we  hear  asked;  and  we  answer,  “Your 
own  reason,  guided  by  an  earnest  desire  for  the 
truth  for  its  own  sake.”  Prove  all  things,  and 
hold  fast  that  which  is  good 


IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  MIND. 


63 


This,  at  first  sight,  may  seem  very  unsatisfac- 
tory kind  of  advice ; but  it  is  the  only  advice  we 
can  conscientiously  give.  No  man  can  truly 
believe  any  thing  that  he  does  not  understand  ; 
and  therefore  nothing  can  be  truth  to  him  that 
does  not  come  within  the  scope  of  his  own 
reason.  Systems  of  philosophy,  when  presented 
to  him,  ought  to  be  examined ; but  nothing  that 
they  advance  should  be  received  as  truth,  unless 
his  own  rationality  approve.  The  test  of  all 
truth  is  its  ability  to  lead  to  good.  To  take  a 
thing  for  granted  because  it  is  gravely  stated  as 
truth  by  a man  who  has  the  reputation  of  being 
a great  philosopher,  is  the  worst  of  folly.  Even 
if  the  proposition  be  true,  it  is  a truth  to  no  one 
unless  it  be  rationally  perceived.  A man  may 
assent  to  it,  but  it  is  not  a living,  but  only  a dead 
assent.  He  is  none  the  wiser. 

As  the  precept,  “ Man,  know  thyself,”  is  to 
all  one  of  vital  moment,  and  as  no  man  can 
properly  know  himself  unless  he  understand 
something  of  his  mental  and  moral  nature,  we 
will  make  a few  plain  statements  on  the  subject, 
from  which  any  one  may  derive  clear  ideas,  and 
be  able  to  understand  his  own  mental  operations, 
and  the  laws  that  govern  them.  Such  a knowl- 
edge will  enable  him  to  separate  the  wheat  from 


64 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


the  chaff  in  books,  and  store  up  the  wheat  in 
the  garner  of  his  innermost  thoughts. 

The  mind  of  man  is  threefold.  It  consists  of 
affection,  thought,  and  power;  or  will,  undei 
standing,  and  action.  The  will  is  man’s  love,  oi 
very  life,  the  moving  impulse  of  his  being;  his 
understanding  gives  a form  to  this  affection, 
clothing  it  in  thoughts ; and  from  both  together 
flows  forth  activity.  In  the  will  of  man,  which  is 
his  love,  or  life,  resides  his  ends  ; these  work  by 
his  understanding,  or  reasoning  faculty,  in  the 
procurement  of  means  to  their  gratification ; and 
when  all  is  prepared,  from  both  flows  forth  activi- 
ty in  real  life.  It  will  require  but  little  reflection 
to  make  this  clearly  apparent.  A man  has  some 
end  in  view,  which  is  a desire  for  something : 
this  is  the  first  impulse  he  feels.  He  never 
thinks  first,  but  always  feels  or  desires  first,  and 
thought  is  but  the  consequence.  As  just  said, 
a man  has  some  end  in  view,  which  is  a desire 
for  something  ; immediately  his  reasoning  powers 
awake,  and  eagerly  search  about  for  the  means 
by  which  that  end  may  be  obtained  ; but  still  a 
man  might  desire  forever,  and  think  forever,  and 
no  effect  would  be  produced,  if  both  affection 
and  thought  did  not  consummate  themselves  in 
action.  In  the  erection  of  a house,  the  firsl 


IMPROVEMENT  OF  THE  MIND. 


<55 


thing  is  a desire  for  a building  suitable  for  a 
certain  purpose ; then  the  understanding  takes 
up  the  matter,  and  wisely  determines  what  is  to 
be  done,  and  decides  upon  tht  best  modes  of 
doing  it;  and,  lastly,  all  the  machinery  required 
is  put  in  operation,  and  the  building  is  com- 
pleted, the  end  accomplished. 

That  all  this  is  true,  the  simplest  mind  can 
see  at  a glance.  Now,  we  wish  further  to  say, 
that  whatever  be  the  quality  of  the  mind’s  affec- 
tion, such  will  be  the  quality  of  the  thoughts  that 
are  prompted  by  this  affection,  and  such  the 
quality  of  the  ultimate  action;  if  good,  good;  if 
bad,  bad.  An  evil  will  acts  by  false  thoughts, 
and  produces  evil  actions ; while  a good  will  acts 
by  true  thoughts,  and  produces  good  actions. 

This  philosophy  of  the  human  mind,  simple 
and  comprehensive  as  it  is,  is  now  seen  to  be 
eminently  practical.  It  causes  a man  to  think 
well  of  his  ends ; and  the  quality  of  these  he  can 
see  in  his  actions,  for  they  reflect  the  ends  which 
govern  a man  as  clearly  as  a mirror  reflects  his 
face.  If  the  act  be  wrong,  the  end  in  view,  from 
which  that  action  flowed  as  a natural  result 
must  be  wrong  also ; for  a sweet  fountain  cannot 
send  forth  bitter  waters. 

Ever  keeping  in  view  this  law  of  the  human 
mind,  the  young  adventurer  on  the  sea  of  meta- 
6 


06 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


physical  knowledge  will  at  all  times  be  able  to 
determine  his  position,  and  to  discriminate  be* 
tween  the  true  and  false  lights  by  which  he  is 
compelled  to  steer  his  soul-laden  bark. 

Man’s  study  of  himself,  aided  by  certain  data 
in  the  outset,  is  full  of  interest,  and  fraught  with 
the  most  important  results.  He  who  carefully 
observes  the  operations  of  his  own  mind,  is  soon 
able  to  correct  false  views,  and  soon  acquires  a 
soundness  of  thinking  on  all  subjects.  He 
makes  a stronger  impression  on  society ; his  in- 
fluence widens  daily. 

Very  many  considerations  might  be  urged 
upon  young  men  by  which  to  make  them  feel 
the  importance  of  improving  their  minds  every 
possible  way;  the  highest  consideration  we  can 
urge  is  that  of  man’s  duties  to  common  society, 
and  the  impossibility  of  his  discharging  them 
efficiently,  unless  every  power  of  his  mind  be 
cultivated  to  the  extent  of  the  opportunities 
afforded  him.  But  too  few  are  able  to  feel  so 
unselfish  a consideration  as  this,  and  they  must 
be  moved  by  the  lower  influences  of  respscta 
bility,  eminence,  or  the  possession  of  wealth,  all 
or  some  of  which  are  the  rewards  that  follow  the 
cultivation  of  man’s  intellectual  ability.  An  ig- 
norant man  may  get  rich,  but  he  cannot  rise  into 
intellectual  society , he  can  never  be  any  thing 


SELF-EDUCATION. 


67 


in  the  world  except  a mere  money-maker,  nor  be 
esteemed  for  any  thing  but  his  wealth.  He  con- 
tributes nothing  toward  the  world’s  true  ad- 
vancement; he  is,  after  all,  but  a drone  in  the 
social  hive;  and  when  he  dies,  his  memory  soon 
perishes  with  him,  unless  he  provides  for  having 
it  inscribed  upon  some  imposing  edifice,  built 
by  the  money  he  could  no  longer  use  for  his 
own  selfish  purposes  — to  no  truly  great  man  an 
enviable  fame. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

SELF-EDUCATION. 

Although  the  improvement  of  our  minds,  in 
the  way  just  alluded  to,  is,  to  all  intents,  self- 
education,  yet  by  that  term  here  we  mean  some- 
thing more  than  was  contemplated  in  the  pre- 
ceding chapter.  There  are  a very  large  number 
of  young  men,  just  entering  upon  life,  of  good 
minds,  but  deficient  educations,  who,  from  this 
cause,  are  kept  back,  and  labor  under  great  dis- 
abilities. Many  of  these  are  mechanise,  and 
others  have  no  regular  calling  whatever,  and 
find  it  very  difficult  to  earn  any  thing  beyond  a 


68 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


very  meagre  support.  Upon  these  we  would 
urge,  with  great  earnestness,  the  duty  of  self- 
education,  so  called.  The  deficiencies  of  early 
years  need  not  keep  them  back  from  positions  of 
eminence  in  society  — those  positions  awarded 
only  to  men  of  intellectual  force  and  sound  in- 
formation— if  they  will  but  strive  for  them.  A 
vast  amount  of  knowledge  may  be  gained  in  the 
course  of  a few  years,  by  rightly  employing  those 
leisure  hours  which  every  one  has;  and  this 
knowledge,  if  of  a practical  kind,  will  always 
insure  to  a man  the  means  of  elevation  in  the 
world. 

A young  man  who  is  a mechanic,  able  to  earn 
only  from  six  to  ten  dollars  per  week,  must  re- 
main a mechanic  all  his  life,  unless  he  have  the 
ability  to  do  something  else  from  which  a larger 
income  is  to  be  obtained.  He  may  become  a 
master  workman,  it  is  true ; but  this  will  depend 
upon  the  character  of  his  mind,  and  the  kind  of 
business  he  is  engaged  in.  It  is  not  every  trade 
which  a young  man  can  set  up  for  ‘himself. 
More  capital  than  a journeyman  mechanic  can 
ordinarily  obtain  is  often  required. 

A young  mechanic,  who  has  possessed  but  few 
educational  advantages,  will  find  himself  deficient 
in  many  things,  and  be  oainfully  conscious  of  his 
inability  to  procure  a comfortable  livelihood  for 


SELF-EDUCATION 


69 


himself  and  those  who  may  happen  to  be  de 
pendent  upon  him,  if  at  some  future  day  loss  of 
health,  casualty,  or  other  circumstance,  should 
render  him  unable  to  work  at  his  trade.  The 
first  business  of  such  a one  ought  to  be,  the  ac- 
quirement of  some  kind  of  knowledge  that  could 
be  used  to  advantage,  were  such  a state  of  things 
ever  to  occur.  And  we  would  recommend  to 
every  one  so  situated  to  turn  his  attention  to  two 
things : first,  the  acquirement  of  a thorough 
knowledge  of  figures  and  account-keeping  ; and 
second,  to  the  improvement  of  his  handwriting. 
He  will  find  ample  leisure  for  this.  But  he  must 
not  be  discouraged  if  his  progress  be  slow;  if 
he  make  any  progress  at  all,  that  should  encour- 
age him  to  persevere ; and  if,  after  an  application 
of  two,  three,  or  even  four  years  to  this  and  other 
branches  of  study  and  information,  he  be  reward- 
ed by  obtaining  a situation  as  clerk,  with  an  in- 
creased income  and  lighter  labor,  he  will  not 
think  it  has  cost  him  too  dear. 

Some  years  ago,  we  knew  a lad,  of  no  remark- 
able quickness  of  intellect,  who  was  apprenticed 
to  a trade  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years.  For  two 
years  previously,  he  had  been  at  work,  so  that 
all  his  education  had  been  acquired  from  the 
time  he  could  go  to  school  until  he  was  eleven 
years  old ; and  while  at  school,  he  was  rather  a 


70 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


dull  boy,  and  did  not  advance  as  rapidly  as  most 
children.  During  his  apprenticeship,  which  con- 
tinued through  a period  of  nearly  seven  years, 
something  inspired  his  mind  with  a desire  for 
knowledge,  and  he  commenced  reading  and  study- 
ing at  times  when  his  fellow-apprentices  were  at 
play  or  sitting  idly  about,  in  the  few  books  to 
which  he  could  get  access.  As  he  had  no  one 
to  direct  his  studies,  they  were,  of  course,  attend- 
ed with  many  disadvantages  and  drawbacks,  and 
he  was  compelled  to  pick  up,  here  and  there,  the 
information  he  desired  upon  any  subject,  and 
often  to  abandon  the  pursuit,  and  turn  to  some 
other  branch  of  knowledge,  because  the  few 
books  he  could  attain  were  little  more  than  ele- 
mentary works,  or  mere  abridgments.  But,  the 
more  he  learned,  the  more  he  found  there  was  to 
learn,  and  the  more  eager  he  became  for  infor- 
mation on  all  subjects.  He  was  about  eighteen 
years  of  age  when  he  began  to  have  good  reason 
to  fear  that  he  would  not  be  able  to  follow  the 
trade  he  was  learning,  as  a means  of  livelihood ; 
that  his  health  would  not  permit  him  to  work  at 
it  much  beyond  the  time  when  he  was  to  be  free. 
For  a while,  this  caused  him  great  depression  of 
spirits ; but  he  was  not  of  a temper  long  to  de- 
spond under  any  circumstances,  for  he  had  a 
consciousness  of  internal  power,  and  this  led  him 


SELF -EDUCATION. 


71 


to  action,  rather  than  the  indulgence  of  gloomy 
forebodings.  What  we  have  advised  in  the  pre- 
ceding paragraph,  was  the  suggestion  of  his  own 
mind.  He  felt  that  a knowledge  of  account-keep- 
ing, with  the  ability  to  write  a fair  business  hand, 
would  be  of  the  first  importance  to  him,  in  case 
he  were  unable  to  gain  a livelihood  by  working 
at  the  trade  he  was  learning.  All  his  efforts 
were  now  directed  to  an  acquirement  of  the 
knowledge  and  skill  needed.  * He  began  by 
taking  up  an  arithmetic  and  going  through  it, 
beginning  at  “ Compound  Division,”  and  ending 
with  “ Promiscuous  Questions.”  This  was  the 
work  of  an  entire  winter,  and  the  time  spent  at 
it  was  generally  from  one  to  two  hours  in  every 
twenty-four.  In  doing  this,  his  aim  was  to  ac- 
quire a facility  for  making  all  kinds  of  calcula- 
tions required  in  business.  During  this  time, 
he  wrote  from  one  to  two  pages  in  a copy-book 
jvery  day,  and  made  a very  great  improvement 
in  writing.  All  this  was  done  without  omitting 
any  of  his  regular  employments,  or  in  the  least 
neglecting  the  interests  of  his  master,  who 
never  once  had  cause  to  make  a complaint 
against  him. 

After  he  had  gained  the  arithmetical  knowl- 
edge he  desired,  our  young  friend  commenced 
the  study  of  book-keeping,  and  soon  understood 


72 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


the  whole  theory  of  accounts;  but  here  he 
wanted  more  practical  knowledge  than  the  mere 
making  of  fictitious  entries,  &c.,  on  a few  sheets 
of  paper  called  a day-booJc,  and  posting  from 
these  to  a few  sheets  more,  called  a ledger ; and 
the  opportunity  of  gaining  it  soon  occurred. 
His  master  had  always  kept  his  own  books, 
though  in  a bungling  manner ; but  his  business 
had  increased  so  much  that  a more  thorough  sys- 
tem was  required6,  and  he  was  about  employing  a 
regular  clerk  to  takfe  charge  of  them.  This  fact 
came  accidentally  to  the  ears  of  his  apprentice, 
who,  after  turning  the  matter  carefully  over  in 
his  mind,  ventured  to  offer  his  services,  and  pro- 
posed to  do  the  work  in  the  evening,  after  his 
regular  day’s  labor  was  done.  To  this  his  mas- 
ter, after  satisfying  himself  that  the  boy  under- 
stood something  about  book-keeping,  very  readily 
assented,  and,  purchasing  an  entire  new  set  of 
books,  set  him  to  work  in  opening  them,  and 
transferring  all  the  accounts  from  the  old  ledger. 
This  occupied  him  about  a week,  during  which 
time  he  did  nothing  else.  The  work  was  very 
neatly  and  correctly  done,  and  pleased  his  mas- 
ter  so  well,  that  he  offered  him  the  option  of  re- 
maining in  the  shop,  or  assisting  him  in  the  gen- 
eral management  of  the  business,  and  taking 
charge  of  the  books  and  collections.  No  propo* 


SELF-EDUCATION. 


73 


iition  could  have  been  more  agreeable.  It  was 
accepted  at  once.  In  this  new  department  he 
remained  until  he  was  of  age,  and  was  then  em- 
ployed in  the  same  capacity,  at  a salary  at  least 
two  hundred  dollars  a year  more  than  he  could 
have  earned  by  working  at  his  trade. 

This  young  man’s  desire  for  improvement  did 
not  stop  with  the  first  reward  of  his  diligence  in 
acquiring  useful  information.  A love  for  mathe- 
matical studies  had  been  awakened,  and  algebra, 
mensuration,  geometry,  and  all  the  higher  and 
abstruser  branches,  one  after  the  other,  became 
he  subjects  of  patient  investigation.  By  the 
time  he  was  free,  he  understood  more  about 
them  than  one  half  of  the  young  men  who  have 
enjoyed  all  the  facilities  afforded  by  the  best  lit- 
erary institutions.  Three  years  after  his  time  of 
service  expired,  he  obtained  a situation  in  a 
corps  of  engineers,  just  commencing  the  survey 
of  a long  line  of  railroads,  since  constructed,  at 
a salary  of  one  thousand  dollars  a year.  Here 
he  had  a fine  chance  to  display  his  ability;  and 
he  did  it  to  such  good  purpose,  that,  before  the 
expiration  of  twelve  months,  he  was  employed  to 
conduct  several  surveys  at  the  south,  from  which 
he  derived  an  income  of  twenty-five  hundred 
dollars  a year  for  two  years.  He  never  returned 
to  the  north,  except  as  a visitor.  After  the  sur 


74 


ADV/GL  i’G  YOUNG  MEN. 


veys  were  made,  he  received  an  appointment  as 
professor  of  mathematics  in  a southern  college  — 
a situation  that  he  still  retains.  He  is  now  con- 
sidered ont  of  the  first  mathematicians  in  the 
country. 

Fellow-apprentices  with  the  individual  of 
whom  we  nave  been  speaking,  were  lads  who 
had  enjoyed  greater  advantages  of  education, 
and  who  were  blessed  with  quicker  intellects. 
But  wh»ie  he  was  diligently  seeking  to  improve 
himself,  they  were  content  with  their  acquire- 
ments, and  preferred  idleness  or  mere  amusement 
to  study.  This  was  the  simple  fact  that  lay  at 
the  foundation  of  the  different  results.  Each 
one  of  tnem  might  have  become  as  eminent  in 
some  pursuit  for  which  a peculiar  formation  of 
mind  particularly  fitted  him. 

Very  many  instances  of  results  similar  to  the 
one  just  stated  have  fallen  under  the  writer’s  ob- 
servation. He  could  point  to  a single  shop,  out 
of  which  have  come  at  least  half  a dozen  men, 
now  more  or  less  eminent  in  the  professions. 
They  were  poor  boys,  with  few  advantages,  and 
early  in  life  put  out  to  trades  by  their  parents, 
who  had  not  the  means  of  preparing  them  for 
higher  walks  of  usefulness.  In  one  or  two  of 
them  thi  thirst  for  knowledge  was  felt,  and  they 
inspired  the  others  with  a feeling  of  noble  emu- 


SELF-EDUCATION. 


75 


ation.  Their  leisure  hours  were  spent  in  study, 
each  cne  in  the  branches  that  suited  best  his 
taste  and  inclinations.  Most  of  them  chose 
medicine  as  a profession,  and  laid  the  ground- 
work of  a knowledge  of  the  healing  art  in  a 
commencement  of  the  study  of  anatomy.  A 
physician,  a friend  of  one  of  the  young  men, 
generously  offered  them  all  the  facilities  his 
office  afforded,  with  advice  as  to  the  order  of 
their  studies.  These  were  pursued  with  great 
diligence  late  at  night  and  early  in  the  morning, 
so  as  not  to  interfere  with  their  working  hours, 
or  their  duties  to  their  master,  who  never  had 
cause  to  complain  that  their  work  was  not  well 
done.  One  of  them  had  the  misfortune  to  have 
a natural  obtuseness  of  intellect.  It  cost  him 
three  times  the  labor  that  it  did  any  of  the  rest 
to  acquire  the  same  amount  of  information  ; but 
what  he  lacked  in  quickness  of  comprehension, 
he  made  up  in  more  intense  and  more  prolonged 
application.  So  much  interested  did  this  young 
man  become,  and  so  eager  was  he  in  the  pursuit 
of  his  anatomical  investigations,  that,  upon  an 
arm,  which  he  obtained  for  dissection,  he  worked 
sometimes  for  nearly  the  whole  night,  and  unti  it 
became  so  offensive,  that  his  mother,  with  whi  n 
he  boarded,  discovered  what  he  was  about,  ai  1 
w is  so  shocked,  that  he  was  obliged  to  give  up  tha 


76 


.ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


precious  buhdle  of  arteries,  nerves,  and  muscles 
which  he  had  obtained  at  some  cost,  and  which 
had  afforded  him  so  much  pleasure  and  instruct 
don.  With  another  arm  he  was  more  successful, 
carrying  it  backwards  and  forwards,  under  his 
cloak,  from  his  home  to  the  shop,  and  working 
at  it  every  moment  that  he  could  get,  until  he 
had  completed  a beautiful  preparation,  which  he 
no  doubt  still  possesses,  as  a trophy  of  his  early 
achievements  in  this  highly  attractive  and  inter- 
esting branch  of  science.  He  is  now  a physician 
in  one  of  the  Atlantic  cities,  with  a large  prac- 
tice. 

Two  of  these  apprentice  boys  are  now  clergy- 
men, one  became  a surgeon  in  the  army,  two  are 
regular  practising  physicians,  and  the  other  has 
passed  beyond  our  observation. 

Self-education  is  something  very  different  from 
mere  reading  by  way  of  amusement.  It  requires 
prolonged  and  laborious  study.  The  cultivation 
of  a taste  for  reading  is  all  very  well ; but  mere 
reading  does  little  toward  advancing  any  one  in 
the  world  — little  toward  preparing  him  for  a 
higher  station  than  the  one  he  fills.  The  knowl- 
edge which  fits  a man  for  eminence  in  any  pro- 
fession or  calling,  is  not  acquired  without  patient, 
long-continued,  and  earnest  application.  Read- 
ing is  resorted  to  by  very  many  as  a means  of 


SELF-EDUCATION. 


77 


making  an  idle  hour  pass  more  pleasantly ; others 
have  a natural  desire  to  obtain  information  on  a 
variety  of  subjects,  and  read,  for  the  gratification 
of  that  desire,  history,  biography,  travels,  and 
the  current  publications  on  all  the  various  sub" 
jects  that  generally  interest  readers  of  taste  and 
intelligence.  The  first  class  are  mainly  novel- 
readers.  These,  if  they  do  not  actually  stand 
still,  make  but  little  advance  in  intellectual  im- 
provement. Between  theatre-going,  visiting,  and 
this  kind  of  reading,  nearly  all  their  leisure  time 
is  spent.  Such  persons  generally  make  agreea- 
ble companions  in  mixed  companies,  where  con- 
versation is  light  and  rambling.  They  have  some 
taste,  from  reading  so  much  about  matters  of 
taste  in  works  of  fiction,  and  from  being  familiar 
with  criticisms  on  the  stage ; and  have  a very 
good  idea  of  the  current  events  of  the  day. 
Such  characters  are  very  good  in  their  place; 
but  they  do  not  help  to  advance,  except  with,  it 
may  be,  the  force  of  a little  finger,  the  great 
movements  of  the  age.  Still  they  generally  have 
a very  good  opinion  of  themselves,  and  trade 
quite  extensively  on  their  small  intellectual  capital- 
The  other  class  of  readers  alluded  to  are  of  a 
higher  order  ; but  their  reading  does  not  amount 
to  a great  deal  more  than  to  make  them  think 
themselves  far  more  intelligent  than  the  mass 


78 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


of  ,fie  people,  unless  what  they  acquire  be  made 
useful  somewhere  in  their  ordinary  pursuits 
in  life.  And  here  we  would  remark,  that  it  is 
the  use  to  which  a man  can  apply  what  he 
receives,  that  determines  its  real  value ; and  that 
but  little  of  sterling  worth  can  be  received,  ex- 
cept by  an  earnest  and  concentrated  effort  of  the 
mind. 

Mere  reading,  therefore,  although  of  impor- 
tance in  itself,  as  a means  of  enlarging  our  ideas 
and  correcting  and  refining  our  tastes,  does  not 
give  a man  much  power  — does  not  help  him  to 
rise  above  the  position  in  which  circumstances 
may  have  originally  placed  him.  It  is  study  that 
does  this.  Franklin  the  printer’s  boy  did  not 
become  Franklin  the  philosopher  and  statesman, 
by  reading  only,  but  by  study  ; and  we  do  no? 
hear  of  his  studying  under  teachers,  and  of 
being  guided  by  them  — for,  like  many  of  you,  he 
did  not  possess  these  high  advantages,  — but  his 
education  progressed  under  the  supervision  of 
his  own  mind.  He  had  to  feel  his  way  along, 
and  to  correct  his  own  errors,  ever  and  anon,  as 
the  dawning  of  fresh  light  enabled  him  to  see 
them.  And  you  may  do  the  same ; you,  with 
few  acquirements  now,  and  few  opportunities, 
may,  if  you  only  will  it,  become  as  useful  and  ein* 
!nent  a man  as  Franklin.  But  you  must  work 


SFLF-E  DUCATTON. 


79 


ijt  it.  Diligently  and  earnestly  must  /ou  labor, 
or  you  cannot  stand  side  by  side,  in  after  years, 
with  the  men  who  have  become  distinguished  for 
the  important  services  they  have  been  able  to 
render  their  fellows. 

In  regard  to  self-education,  no  specific  rules 
can  be  laid  down,  nor  any  course  of  study 
pointed  out.  All  will  depend  upon  the  capacity, 
situation,  and  peculiar  character  of  the  individ- 
ual. Inherent  in  every  one  is  a capacity  for  the 
doing  of  some  one  thing  better  than  another  ; 
and  in  the  exercise  of  this  natural  ability  every 
man  attains  his  true  place  in  society.  From  a 
common  perception  of  this  fact,  it  has  become 
a habit  with  judicious  parents  and  guardians  to 
consult  the  youth  under  their  charge  in  regard 
to  their  future  cabings,  and  to  be  governed  very 
much  by  the  preferences  they  express.  One  lad, 
who  feels  the  necessity  of  improving  himself, 
may  turn  all  his  thoughts,  and  direct  all  his  in- 
vestigations, toward  gaining  a knowledge  of 
the  principles  upon  which  the  branch  of  art  he 
may  be  engaged  in  learning  is  founded,  in  order 
that,  when  he  becomes  a man,  he  may,  with  more 
intelligence  and  certainty  of  success,  prosecute 
his  trade.  Whoever  does  this  may  depend  upon 
finding  full  scope  for  all  the  knowledge  he  thus 
acquires,  and  be  sure  of  rising  above  his  less 


80 


ADVICE  TO  VOUNG  MEN. 


ambitious  fellows.  Another  may  ook  away  from 
his  trade,  and  be  emulous  of  distinction  in  some 
other  pursuit,  and  this  will  give  a different  direc- 
tion to  his  course  of  study ; and  he  will  become  a 
statesman  or  a merchant,  or,  it  may  be,  rise  into 
some  one  of  the  learned  professions  ; for  to  rise 
above  the  great  mass,  who  will  not  apply  them- 
selves, is  the  unfailing  result  of  patient  and  thor- 
ough self-education. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 

Music,  dancing,  and  a truly  polished  and 
graceful  manner  in  social  intercourse,  with  a 
knowledge  of  those  modes  and  forms  that  are 
founded  upon  a just  regard  of  man  for  man, 
which  prevail  in  society,  are  known  as  accom- 
plishments. With  regard  to  the  first  of  these, 
there  is  but  little  difference  of  opinion ; the  sec- 
ond has  many  warm  advocates,  and  many  bitter 
and  unrelenting  opponents,  who  see  in  it  evil, 
and  only  evil ; and  there  are  some  who  appear  to 
think  any  serious  regard  to  the  latter,  especially 


accomplishments 


81 


the  making  of  rules  for  observance,  a sign  of 
weakness  and  folly. 

As  respects  music,  it  is  clear  to  us,  that,  if  a 
young  man  have  any  taste  at  all  in  that  way,  he 
ought  by  all  means  to  cultivate  it.  It  will  not 
only  extend  greatly  his  own  means  of  enjoyment, 
but  give  him  the  power  of  contributing  much  to 
the  enjoyment  of  others.  We  do  not  think  it 
would  be  wise  for  him  to  devote  all  his  leisure 
time  to  music,  to  the  neglect  of  other  and  graver 
pursuits  ; but  there  are  times  when  the  mind 
wearies  of  thought,  and  will  be  refreshed  and 
strengthened  to  attempt  new  efforts,  if  its  slum- 
bering affections  be  awakened  into  life  and  activ- 
ity by  music.  While  words  give  utterance  to 
the  thoughts  of  the  mind,  music  expresses  its 
affections ; and  thoughts  when  uttered,  and  feel- 
ings when  expressed,  are  in  greater  fulness  and 
power.  So  well  satisfied  are  we  that  there  is 
great  use  in  the  cultivation  of  music,  that  we 
believe  all  men  who  are  ignorant  of  the  science 
have  defects  which  no  cultivation  of  the  intellect 
alone  can  possibly  overcome. 

Against  dancing  much  has  been  urged,  but 
nothing  that  we  have  seen  having  any  basis  in 
rational  truth.  It  has  been  called  sinful ; but 
nothing  is  sinful  except  what  is  done  from  evil 
intent.  Some  have  said  that  it  awakens  impure 
6 


82 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


thoughts ; but  they  who  allege  this  either  have 
impure  minds  or  have  never  danced.  Such  is 
well  known  not  to  be  the  case.  It  is  a frivolous 
waste  of  time,  say  others,  and  unworthy  the  dig' 
nity  of  men  and  women.  If  it  is  made  to  inter- 
fere with  any  duty,  it  is  certainly  a waste  of 
time  ; as  to  the  “ dignity,”  the  objection  will  be 
worth  considering,  when  it  is  understood  in  what 
a man’s  true  dignity  consists.  It  is  a fact  worthy 
of  observation,  that  the  most  strenuous  opposers 
of  dancing  are  those  who  have  least  charity,  so 
called,  for  their  neighbors ; and  that  one  of  these 
persons  will  spend  an  evening  in  animadverting 
upon  the  faults  and  foibles  of  others,  and  indul- 
ging in  a spirit  of  ill-will  'and  censoriousness, 
while  those  engaged  in  dancing  during  the  time 
have  been  blessing  each  other  with  a spontaneous 
and  generous  reciprocation  of  the  kindest  feel- 
ings. It  is  a bitter  spirit,  indeed,  that  does  not 
feel  kindly  emotions  while  threading  the  graceful 
mazes  of  a cotillon,  every  step  and  every  motion 
of  the  body  harmonizing  with  sweet  music. 

The  whole  truth,  in  regard  to  the  objections 
against  dancing  which  prevail,  lies  in  the  fact 
that  it  is  erroneously  imagined  that  all  pleasures 
are  incompatible  with  religion,  than  which  there 
cannot  possibly  be  a greater  mistake.  The 
pleasures  of  sense  are  not  evil  in  themselves. 


accomplishments. 


83 


out  good  : the  evil  lies  in  their  perversion  and 
abuse.  The  partaking  of  food  is  a highly-grati- 
fying sensual  pleasure;  but  it  is  not  evil,  except 
where  eating  is  abused  to  the  injury  of  the  health. 
It  cannot  be  evil  for  the  ear,  so  finely  attuned, 
to  take  in  the  harmonies  of  music ; although  for 
any  one  to  neglect  all  the  duties  of  life  in  giving 
himself  up  to  the  enjoyment  of  music,  wouh 
certainly  be  a great  evil.  It  cannot  be  evil  to 
enjoy  the  odor  of  sweet  flowers,  nor  to  delight  in 
viewing  an  exquisite  picture,  or  piece  of  statuary, 
or  a beautiful  landscape;  and  yet  these  are  all 
pleasures  of  the  senses,  so  called,  though  in  re- 
ality the  pleasures  of  the  soul,  as  it  looks  out 
upon  and  hearkens  unto  the  world  of  nature,  and 
there  sees  and  hears  those  things  that  correspond 
to  affections  and  principles  in  itself.  The  law 
of  our  spiritual  constitution  is,  that  all  things  of 
the  mind  come  into  their  fullest  power  and  de- 
light in  the  lowest  or  sensual  plane ; and  all  who 
hinder  in  any  way  this  descent  of  the  soul  into 
the  orderly  plane  of  its  activity,  destroy  much  of 
its  vital  force,  and  take  away  its  power  of  clear 
intellectual  discrimination. 

Dancing  is  nothing  more  nor  less  than  grace- 
ful movements  of  the  body  in  time  with  music, 
and  is  joined  in  by  two,  three,  or  a much  greater 
••Limber,  all  acting  in  concert.  The  frightening 


84 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


eye,  the  glowing  cheek,  and  the  smiling  lip, 
attest  the  pleasure  that  is  felt  by  each.  A 
pleasure  in  what?  In  consummating  an  evil 
purpose  ? None  will'  say  that.  There  is  de- 
light, and  it  must  be  either  in  good  or  evil. 
Is  it  in  evil  ? And  if  so,  in  what  does  it  con- 
sist? The  dancers  are  virtuous  maidens  and 
young  men  of  good  principles,  who,  to  the  sound 
of  music,  have  arranged  themselves  upon  the 
floor,  and  are  moving  their  bodies  in  harmony 
with  it.  It  is  not  evil,  we  unhesitatingly  say, 
out  good ; for  it  is  always  good  for  the  mind  to 
flow  down  into  external  acts  that  are  in  them- 
selves innocent,  and  encourage  kindness  and 
good-will  from  one  toward  another ; and  this  is 
precisely  what  occurs  in  dancing.  The  objec- 
tions against  its  abuse  are  as  good  as  objections 
against  the  abuse  of  any  thing  else,  but  no  better. 
Another  use  of  dancing  is,  that  it  gives  a young 
man  an  easier  and  more  graceful  carriage,  writb 
more  freedom  in  his  social  intercourse.  It  also 
aids  him  in  acquiring  a self-possession  in  com- 
pany, which  is  so  necessary  for  the  pleasure  of 
all,  yet  so  hard  to  attain  in  mere  conversational 
circles,  or  even  in  the  half-awkward  promenade, 
into  which  a stifF  and  formal  sitting  party  is 
sometimes  broken  up  by  an  effort,  soon  to  sub- 
side again  into  its  score  of  little  circles,  all  de« 


ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 


85 


laohed  from  the  rest,  and  feeling  nothing  in  com- 
mon with  the  whole. 

By  all  means,  take  lessons  in  dancing,  if  you 
nave  not  yet  done  so,  we  would  say  to  every 
young  man.  Don’t  let  an  awkward  bashfulness 
prevent  your  doing  so ; for  it  is  one  of  the  very 
best  meaqs  you  can  adopt  for  its  correction. 
You  are  a social  being,  and  are  bound  to  mingle 
in  society,  both  for  your  own  good  and  the  good 
of  others.  You  are  under  obligation  to  give 
vour  quota  to  the  general  enjoyment,  and  under 
a like  obligation  to  take  your  own  in  return,  for 
the  sake  of  that  healthy  flow  of  spirits  so  essen- 
tial to  the  right  performance  of  all  our  duties  in 
life.  And,  unless  you  have  those  accomplish- 
ments that  are  common  in  polite  society,  you 
can  neither  give  nor  receive  all  the  benefits  that 
spring  from  right  social  intercourse. 

The  laws  of  etiquette,  or  those  conventional 
forms  of  good  breeding,  which  prevail  in  society, 
when  they  are  founded  upon  a just  regard  of 
man  for  man,  should  always  be  observed.  Among 
these  laws,  as  found  in  books  of  etiquette,  are 
many  which  have  in  them  no  vital  principle 
which  are  the  mere  offspring  of  a sickly  pride. 
They  maj  be  known  from  the  fact  tha..  iney  are 
not  based  upon  a generous  consideration  o^  oth- 


86 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEI*. 


ers.  These  may  be  observed  or  not,  as  any  one 
thinks  best ; and,  when  among  those  who  make 
it  a point  to  observe  them,  we  should  think  it 
wise  not  to  interrupt  the  general  good  feeling  by 
their  violation,  unless  a principle  were  involved. 
It  is  not  wrong  in  itself  to  drink  tea  from  your 
saucer  instead  of  your  cup,  nor  to  eat  with  your 
knife  instead  of  your  fork;  still,  as  these  are 
usages  of  polite  society,  a man  of  good  common 
sense  will  observe  them  when  in  company,  no 
matter  how  partial  he  may  be  to  his  knife  and 
saucer. 

We  would  recommend  to  every  young  man  to 
read  carefully  one  or  more  books  on  etiquette 
and  good-breeding,  and  thereby  acquaint  him- 
self with  the  laws  that  are  observed  in  polite  so- 
ciety. We  would  not,  however,  advise  him  to 
adopt  all  the  forms  and  observances  there  laid 
down,  but  to  take  each  one,  and  analyze  it  care- 
fully, and  see  upon  what  it  is  based  — pride  or 
the  kind  consideration  of  others ; and  where  he 
finds  that  a violation  of  the  law  will  subject  any 
one  to  unnecessary  pain  or  annoyance,  he  should 
carefully  obey  it  under  all  circumstances. 

A true  gentleman  — that  is,  one  who  really 
regards  with  feelings  of  disinterested  kindness 
his  fellow-man  — will  rarely  commit  any  glaring 


ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 


37 


violation  of  good  manners.  To  such  a one  the 
study  of  those  rules  established  as  usages  in  po- 
lite society,  will  afford  much  matter  for  reflec- 
tion, and  he  will  readily  distinguish  between 
the  good  and  the  bad.  He  will  find  much  that 
is  the  mere  offspring  of  pride,  vanity,  and  a 
fancied  idea  of  importance  ; but  he  will  find 
much  more  that  is  based  upon  a just  regard  of 
man  for  man.  We  were  particularly  struck  with 
the  closing  paragraph  of  a book  of  this  kind, 
which  contains  much  more  than  a fair  proportion 
of  bad  reasons  for  observing  some  very  good 
rules.  It  is  as  follows : “ Gentility  is  neither 
in  birth,  manner,  nor  fashion,  but  in  the  mind. 
A high  sense  of  honor  — a determination  never 
to  take  a mean  advantage  of  another  — an  adhe- 
rence to  truth,  delicacy,  and  politeness  toward 
those  with  whom  you  have  any  dealings,  are 
the  essential  and  distinguishing  characteristics 

Of  a GENTLEMAN.” 

This  is  every  word  true.  A man  may  have  the 
most  accurate  knowledge  of  all  the  rules  of  eti- 
quette, and  most  carefully  observe  them ; but  if 
he  have  not  the  above  qualities,  he  is  not  a gen* 
tleman. 


88 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


CHAPTER  IX 

AMUSEMENTS. 

E7ery  young  man  should  enter  upon  life  with 
an  earnest  purpose.  He  will  have  need  of  pa- 
tience, fortitude,  energy,  and  intense  thought,  in 
overcoming  the  difficulties  that  must  be  encoun- 
tered before  his  day  of  trial  be  over.  Life  has 
been  called  a warfare,  and  truly  so  called.  It  is 
a warfare  with  enemies  both  within  and  with- 
out— enemies  of  the  flesh  and  enemies  of  the 
spirit.  He  has  to  contend,  in  the  world,  against 
the  selfishness  that  would  crush  every  man’s  in- 
terest in  the  attainment  of  its  own  ends ; and  to 
contend  with  the  same  spirit  of  selfishness  in  his 
oAvn  heart,  that  is  ever  prompting  him  to  seek 
an  advantage  at  the  sacrifice  of  others’  good. 
Happy  for  him  if,  when  he  fall  into  temptation 
he  do  not  fall  in  temptation,  but  stand  fast  by 
his  integrity. 

“ If  life,  then,  be  so  grave  a matter,  what 
has  man  to  do  with  amusements?”  we  hear 
asked.  “ In  these  conflicts  with  foes  within  and 
without,  one  would  think  the  heart  could  nevei 


AMUSEMENTS. 


89 


heave  up  with  a glad  emotion,  the  eye  never 
brighten,  nor  the  lip  smile.” 

And  such  could  never  be  the  case,  if  the  strife 
were  incessant  — if,  after  a fierce  conflict,  there 
did  not  come  a season  of  repose,  in  which  both 
mind  and  body  could  rest,  and  be  refreshed  and 
invigorated  for  new  combats.  It  has  been  as- 
sumed— and  it  is  evidently  a true  position — that 
inaction  is  not  the  rest  that  re-invigorates  the  ex- 
hausted energies  of  either  the  mind  or  body,  but 
a new  direction  of  effort,  by  which  new  muscles 
of  the  body,  or  new  faculties  of  the  mind,  are 
brought  into  activity.  The  true  repose,  then, 
which  should  follow  every  life-conflict  — and  they 
are  of  almost  daily  occurrence — is  an  entire  di- 
version of  the  thoughts  and  feelings  into  some 
new  channel.  If  this  be  not  done,  there  can  be 
no  rest ; for  the  current  of  thought  will  flow  on 
unchecked,  until  the  mind  becomes  diseas«d,  and 
loses  half  its  power. 

And  herein  we  see  the  use  of  amusements,  or 
those  innocent  employments  that  divert  the  mind, 
and  fill  it  with  pleasing  emotions.  After  the 
business  of  the  day  is  over,  these  come  in  their 
natural  order,  to  refresh  and  strengthen  for  new 
efforts;  and  it  is  more  in  accordance  with  the 
dictates  of  right  reason  to  seek  for  re-invigora- 
lion  in  these  than  in  dull  inaction.  To  play  a 


90 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN 


game  of  draughts  or  chess  will  do  a man  more 
good,  after  a day  of  labor  and  care,  than  to 
spend  his  evening  in  lounging  on  the  sofa.  And 
he  will  find  the  gay  doings  of  a social  party  of 
far  more  benefit  to  him,  if  he  make  one  of,  and 
enter  into  the  spirit  of  that  party,  than  he  will  to 
sit  out  his  evening,  brooding  over  the  disappoint- 
ments and  crosses  of  to-day,  or  sadly  contem 
plating  the  trials  of  to-morrow. 

Amusements,  therefore,  we  hold  to  be  essential 
to  the  health  of  both  body  and  mind.  But,  like 
every  other  good,  they  are  liable  to  be  perverted ; 
and  the  young  are  more  in  danger  of  perverting 
them  than  those  who  have  passed  the  prime  of 
life.  Nearly  all  the  various  amusements,  public 
and  private,  that  are  entered  into  at  this  day,  are 
innocent  and  useful  in  themselves,  although  some 
of  them  are  sadly  perverted  to  evil  ends.  Dan- 
cing, games,  concerts,  the  opera,  scenic  repre- 
sentations, etc.,  are  all  good  in  themselves,  and 
may  be  enjoyed  innocently  and  beneficially  by 
all.  In  cards,  for  instance,  there  is  no  evil  ab- 
stractly, nor  in  a game  of  cards ; but  gambling 
is  a great  evil  — one  from  which  every  hoDest 
mind  shrinks  with  horror.  When  made  a school 
of  morals,  the  stage  is  a powerful  teacher  of 
truth,  because  it  shows  us  vice  or  virtue  in  living 
personifications  but  as  it  now  is,  we  are  com 


AM  JSEMENTS. 


91 


pelled  to  acknowledge  that  it  is  a poor  place  of 
resort  for  the  strengthening  of  v irtuous  princi- 
ples. 

At  all  suitable  times,  young  men  w Jl  find  it 
useful  to  seek  for  recreations  and  innocent 
amusements.  It  will  give  their  minds  a health- 
ier tone,  and  bring  them  into  associations  differ- 
ent from  business  associations,  by  which  they 
will  be  able  to  see  new  phases  of  character,  and 
judge  more  kindly  of  their  fellows.  In  business, 
each  one  seeks  his  own  interest ; there  is  no 
generous  deference  to  the  interests  of  others, 
and  men  grow  daily  more  and  more  selfish ; but 
in  social  intercourse,  one  defers  to  another ; 
there  is  the  form  of  self-sacrifice  for  the  good  of 
others,  at  least,  and  we  would  fain  believe  no 
little  of  its  essence. 

From  this  brief  presentation  of  the  subject 
every  one  must  see  that  the  views  taken  by 
those  who  inveigh  against  amusements,  as 
either  sinful  or  entirely  useless,  are  erroneous, 
and  founded  upon  false  notions  of  man’s  moral 
nature.  Our  life  here  is  for  the  development 
and  perfection  of  our  characters  as  immortal 
beings,  created  originally  in  true  order,  and  now 
afforded  all  possible  means  for  a return  to  true 
order.  In  true  order,  every  affection  of  the 
mind,  when  it  comes  into  activity,  produces  de- 


92 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


light ; and  as  a lovt  of  good  is  the  vital  princi- 
ple of  true  order,  when  man  is  restored  to  what 
he  has  lost,  his  highest  and  purest  delight  will  be 
in  doing  good.  Delight  or  pleasure,  then,  is  not 
evil,  but  good,  provided  it  does  not  flow  from  the 
consummation  of  an  evil  purpose.  It  is  the 
healthy  reaction  of  the  mind  upon  orderly  effort, 
and  strengthens  and  prepares  it  for  new  and 
higher  efforts.  Take  away  all  delight  as  the  re- 
ward of  effort,  and  see  how  quickly  the  cheek 
fades  and  the  eye  grows  dim ! 

If,  then,  delight  or  pleasure  be  not  wrong  m 
the  abstract,  the  seeking  of  amusements,  as  means 
of  recreation,  after  the  mind  is  overwearied  by 
long  and  oft-repeated  efforts,  cannot  be  wrong ; 
and  this  every  mind  not  sadly  warped  by  false  views 
must  see.  But  to  seek  amusements  as  a means 
of  “ killing  time,”  as  some  do,  or  as  the  occupa- 
tions instead  of  the  occasional  recreations  of  life, 
is  to  pervert  them  from  their  true  object,  and  to 
make  them  highly  injurious,  instead  of  beneficial. 
To  engage,  night  after  night,  in  a trial  of  skill  in 
games,  — to  spend  two  or  three  evenings  every 
week  at  balls  and  parties,  or  attending  theatric  or 
operatic  performances,, — must  enervate  instead 
of  strengthening  the  mind,  and  will  inevitably 
hinder  any  young  man  from  rising  into  distin* 
guished  positions  of  usefulness  in  society.  Aftei 


AMUSEMENTS. 


93 


the  business  of  the  day,  the  mind  will  ordinarily 
find  a means  of  healthy  reaction  in  intellectual 
pursuits,  which  form  a part  of  some  leading  pur- 
pose by  which  a man’s  life  is  governed;  amusements 
come  in  as  occasional  means  of  restoring  the  wasted 
energies,  and  should  be  entered  into  at  intervals, 
as  absolutely  essential  to  the  continued  healthy 
activity  of  our  minds. 

There  are  boys  so  hardly  circumstanced,  as  to 
be  deprived  of  nearly  all  amusements  at  an  age 
when  work  and  play  should  each  come  in  right 
order.  These  are  apt  to  make  men  who  have  little 
sympathy  for  young  people,  and  who  regard  all 
amusements  as  waste  of  time,  and  enervating  to 
the  character.  They  constantly  refer  back  to  their 
own  uncheered  boyhood  as  evidence  that  amuse- 
ments are  valueless;  not  thinking  that  the  very 
aspect  they  show  to  the  world  is  one  of  the  strong 
arguments  in  favor  of  their  balancing  influence. 
From  men  of  this  class,  as  well  as  from  religious 
ascetics,  we  have  a steady  warfare  upon  all 
amusements. 

It  may  be  well  to  look  a little  closer  at  some  of 
the  popular  sources  of  recreation,  and  to  examine 
their  quality.  The  true  end  of  all  amusement  is, 
as  we  have  seen,  that  recreation  of  the  mind 
which  will  enable  it  the  better  to  perform  its  use- 
ful tasks  when  the  hour  of  duty  returns.  It 


94 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


Bhould  come  up  from  them  re-invigorated;  and 
this  can  hardly  be  the  case,  if  there  should  be  in 
them  anything  that  excites  low,  sensual,  or  impure 
emotions ; or  that  insinuates  false  sentiments  on 
any  subject.  Among  the  most  prominent  and 
popular  of  all  our  public  amusements,  is  the  the- 
atre. How  is  it  in  regard  to  the  ideas  and  emo- 
tions that  are  called  into  activity  here  ? Are  they, 
as  a general  thing,  pure,  elevating,  and  virtuous  ? 
or,  on  the  contrary,  depressing  to  the  moral  sense  ? 
Is  the  wit  that  makes  you  laugh,  refined  or  coarse  ? 
Are  the  passions,  in  the  display  of  which  you  are 
most  interested,  cruel  or  tender  ? How  do  you 
come  up  from  the  theatre  ? With  all  nobler  im- 
pulses strengthened,  or,  with  images  in  your  ima- 
gination that  you  would  blush  to  have  revealed  ? 

We  fear  that,  for  the  most  part,  your  experience 
of  the  drama,  as  it  now  exists,  cannot  be  presented 
as  an  argument  in  its  favor.  The  evil  overbalances 
the  good  ; to  say  nothing  of  the  doors  to  vice  and 
intemperance  which  there  stand  invitingly  open. 
An  occasional  visit  to  the  theatre  may  be  well ; 
but  it  should  be  when  talent  of  the  highest  avail- 
able order  is  presented,  so  that  the  new  excitement 
of  mind  under* which  you  are  brought,  may  par- 
take more  of  the  intellectual  than  the  sensuous. 
But  regular  theafcr 3-going  we  must  condemn  as 


AMUSEMENTS. 


95 


not  only  dangerous,  but  depressing  to  the  moral 
sense,  and  enervating  to  the  whole  mind. 

If,  therefore,  you  wish  to  make  a strong,  useful, 
successful  man  in  the  world,  no  matter  what  your 
life  pursuit  may  be,  attend  the  theatre  rarely. 

As  to  the  opera,  that  has  its  good  and  also  its 
bad  points.  Music  is  innocent.  But  most  of  the 
librettos  to  which  it  is  wedded  in  opera,  are  dis- 
gracefully vicious.  The  most  effective  portions 
of  an  opera  are  usually,  those  in  which  passions 
of  the  worst  kind  are  displayed  or  indicated.  The 
loves,  hates,  lusts,  jealousies,  and  murderous  pas- 
sions of  outlaws,  libertines,  and  courtezans,  too 
often  make  up  the  larger  portion  of  musical  ex- 
pression in  these  fashionable  entertainments,  which 
are  not  indigenous  to  our  own  soil,  but  the  stim- 
ulated exotics  of  another  clime.  It  is  surprising 
how  much  enthusiasm  virtuous  people  permit 
themselves  to  exhibit  in  favor  of  certain  operas, 
which,  it  has  often  seemed  to  us,  they  might  well 
blush  to  have  it  known  they  had  seen.  The  saving 
clause  in  all  this,  is  the  fact  that  the  singing  is 
mostly  in  Italian  or  French,  not  a word  of  which 
one  in  ten  of  the  audiences  usually  understand. 
It  is  because  the  opera  is  fashionable,  not  from 
a genuine  love  of  that  class  of  music  in  the  mass 
of  those  who  attend,  that  it  is  so  popular.  The 
number  who  really  enjoy  the  good  music  to  which 


96 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


stupid,  trifling,  or  bad  sentiments  are  wedded,  is 
but  small.  Do  not,  then,  fall  into  the  error  of 
professing  to  admire  and  enjoy  something  that 
really  interests  you  but  little,  and  which  attracts 
large  numbers  by  its  imposing  accessories,  more 
than  from  any  other  cause.  Your  amusements 
should  always  strengthen  your  mind  in  some  di- 
rection; or,  in  the  excitement  of  gentle,  loving, 
humane,  and  generous  sentiments,  make  you  more 
a man  of  true  sympathy  with  your  fellow  men 
when,  in  business  or  social  contact,  your  life  acts 
upon  theirs. 

You  will  not  have  failed  to  notice,  that  the 
staple  of  conversation  among  some  young  men  is 
the  histrionic  ability  of  certain  actors  and  actresses, 
which  they  criticise  with  a gravity  that  would 
lead  you  to  think  them  possessed  of  extraordinary 
talents.  Do  not  fall  into  the  weakness  of  giving 
such  undue  importance  to  what  is  really  a small 
interest  in  society. 

Actors  are  well  enough  in  their  way,  and  so  far 
as  they  conduct  themselves  honorably  in  private 
life,  are  to  be  respected.  But  their  calling  throws 
them  into  temptations  beyond  what  usually  assail 
men  and  women  who  have  to  depend  on  their  own 
efforts  to  make  their  way  in  the  world,  and  the 
personal  history  of  the  stage  has  been  much  in- 
volved in  scandals.  The  constant  introduction  of 


AMUSEMENTS 


97 


the  names  of  players,  and  the  giving  of  undue 
importance  to  their  stage  readings  and  perform- 
ances, are  scarcely  in  good  taste;  and  the  individual 
who  does  this  frequently,  when  in  the  company 
of  intelligent,  thoughtful  people,  will  leave  on  their 
minds  the  impression  that  he  thinks  a great  deal 
more  of  such  matters  than  is  consonant  with  a 
solid,  well  based  character. 

Criticism  on  the  various  performers  who  nightly 
sport  in  fantastic  costumes  before  their  audiences, 
occupy  far  more  space  in  our  daily  and  weekly 
newspapers  than  ought  in  truth  and  fairness  to  be 
given.  If  the  public  understood  these  to  be  no- 
thing more  than  advertisements,  they  would  be  in 
the  way  of  forming  more  correct  estimates.  But 
while  such  amusements  continue  to  be  held  up  by 
the  press,  as  things  of  primary  importance,  the 
unobservant  and  unreflecting  will  be  led  into  con- 
sidering actors,  actresses,  tenors,  and  prima  don- 
nas as  distinguished  personages,  and  their  com- 
parative merits  a subject  worthy  of  the  gravest 
consideration. 

Do  not,  as  we  have  said,  fall  into  the  error  or 
weakness  of  making  too  prominent,  in  your  con- 
versation, the  merits  of  this  class  of  persons. 
They  are  all  very  well  in  their  way ; but  there  are 
men  and  women  all  around  you,  in  public  and  pri- 
vate life,  whose  talents  and  performances  are  a 


98 


AE  VICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


thousand  times  more  worthy  of  your  thought. 
As  you  regard  amusements,  sc-  regard  those  who 
minister  to  this  want  of  your  nature,  as  entitled 
to  rank  always  second  to  those  who  are  engaged 
in  the  higher  and  more  important  uses  of  society. 
Do  not  confound  things.  Let  the  first  in  utility 
always  have  precedence  in  your  regard. 

The  effect  of  amusements  on  your  state  of  mind 
will  always  indicate  their  utility  or  hurtfulness. 
If,  after  their  enjoyment,  you  return  to  your  reg- 
ular duties,  with  a mind  reinvigorated  and  cheer- 
ful, then  they  have  done  you  good.  But,  if  the 
useful  things  that  demand  your  care  and  labor 
seem  afterwards  tame  and  irksome,  and  your 
thought  wanders  away  from  them  to  the  evening’s 
entertainments,  then  you  may  well  question  their 
good  influence.  Beware,  in  this  case,  how  you 
let  mere  amusement  and  recreation  make  large 
demands  on  your  leisure  time:  for  you  are  in  dan- 
ger of  being  drawn  away  from  that  abiding  interest 
in  useful  employments  by  which  alone  man  rises 
in  the  scale  of  worldly  prosperity,  or  becomes  hon- 
orable and  happy. 

It  is  the  habit,  to  which  we  have  referred,  of 
making  actors,  singers,  and  others,  who  minister 
to  our  recreations,  leading  topics  of  conversation 
that  elevates  mere  amusement  to  an  undue  import- 


SELF-GOVERNMENT. 


99 


ance,  and  lends  to  make  useful  things  appear  tame 
and  uninviting.  And  whatever  has  this  tendency, 
should  he  avoided.  Things  right  in  their  place, 
may  be  hurtful  when  taken  out  of  their  just  rela 
tions. 


CHAPTER  X. 

SELF-GOVERNMENT. 

There  are  two  kinds  of  self-government,  or 
the  controlling  of  evil  and  disorderly  propensi- 
ties— the  one  springing  from  a regard  to  external 
considerations,  such  as  the  love  of  reputation, 
ease,  or  wealth,  and  the  other  from  an  abstract 
regard  to  right  principles.  Self-government, 
from  the  first  of  these  considerations,  which  is 
that  which  most  prevails  in  common  society, 
does  not  give  a man  any  real  power  over  him- 
self. His  inward  disorders  are  only  caged  as 
wild  beasts,  not  subdued  and  brought  under 
the  control  of  opposite  good  principles;  and 


100 


ADVfCB  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


when  these  restraints  cease,  they  show  them, 
selves  again  with  renewed  power  and  activity. 
We  see  this  in  those  who  have  attained  an  ad- 
vanced age,  without  truly,  and  from  an  internal 
ground,  reforming  the  leading  impulses  of  their 
lives.  How  melancholy  a sight  it  is  to  see  an  ir- 
ritable, impatient,  passionate  old  man ! and  this 
every  one  is  sure  to  become,  if  life  is  prolonged 
to  second  childhood,  who  does  not  subdue  his  ir- 
ritability, impatience,  and  passion,  by  struggling 
against  them  as  evil  tendencies  of  a corrupt  na- 
ture, instead  of  merely  concealing  them  from 
others  in  his  ordinary  intercourse  in  life,  when  it 
answers  his  purpose  to  do  so,  that  his  reputation 
may  be  preserved,  or  his  selfish  ends  answered. 

Extreme  old  age  is  called  second  childhood 
The  reason  of  this  designation  is  supposed  to  be 
in  a resemblance  between  the  imbecility  of  old  age 
and  the  helplessness  of  childhood.  But  a much 
higher  and  more  instructive  truth  is  at  the  basis 
of  this  supposed  resemblance.  A child  is  born  in 
the  innocence  of  ignorance,  which  is  man’s  first 
state : there  is  a likeness  to  this  in  his  last  state, 
if  his  life  have  been  an  orderly  progression  from 
reformation  to  regeneration  ; or,  in  other  words, 
if  he  have,  after  the  laying,  in  early  life,  of  a basis 
of  scientific  truths,  both  natural  and  spiritual,  by 
means  of  parents  and  teachers,  elevated  these 


s l:  lf-go  v e rn  m e nt 


101 


truths,  by  a ational  adoption  and  practise  of 
them,  into  knowledge  in  his  mind  in  mature  life, 
and  by  the  aid  of  them  corrected  the  tendencies 
to  evil  in  which  he  was  born.  This  likeness  to 
childhood  — which  is  a state  of  innocence  from 
ignorance  — is  a state  of  innocence  from  wisdom. 
Imbecility  is  not  the  natural  condition  of  old 
age,  but  wisdom  ; which  comes  as  the  invariable 
consequence  of  a life  well  spent.  But,  alas ! 
how  few  spend  their  lives  well  ! how  few  are 
governed  by  a regard  for  good  and  true  princi- 
ples ! how  few  strive  for  the  attainment  of  ends 
not  thoroughly  selfish ! and  the  melancholy  result 
is,  that  few  who  attain  old  age,  when  the  very 
life’s  love  shows  itself  more  plainly  than  at  any 
other  time,  because  less  regard  is  then  felt  for 
external  considerations,  are  in  the  innocence  of 
wisdom. 

The  love  of  self  is  disorderly,  as  we  showed 
in  the  chapter  on  man’s  origin,  nature,  and  des- 
tiny, and  has  in  it  the  germ  of  all  evils,  no  matter 
how  direful.  All  insanities,  therefore,  which  are 
states  of  disorder  more  or  less  excessive,  have 
their  origin  in  self-love.  They  cannot  spring 
from  a love  of  God  and  a love  of  the  neighbor. 
Is  it  any  wonder,  then,  that,  after  a man  has  pur- 
sued only  selfish  ends  all  his  life,  that  in  old  age 
here  should  be  something  of  insanity,  or  mental 


102 


advi;e  to  young  men. 


imbecility,  as  a natural  result?  But  a strife 
against  the  evi's  and  disorders  of  our  nature, 
and  a conquest  of  them,  restores  us  to  something 
of  true  order,  in  which  we  love  the  good  of  the 
whole,  and  seek  it  as  an  end,  rather  than  our 
own  good,  as  separate  from  the  whole*  A state 
of  wisdom,  instead  of  partial  insanity,  comes  in 
old  age,  and  life  declines  with  the  sun  unob- 
scured by  clouds,  calm  as  a summer’s  day. 

To  make  all  we  wish  to  say  clear,  we  will  re- 
mark, that  there  are  two  states  appertaining  to 
the  human  mind  — intellection  and  perception  ; 
and  that  the  latter  succeeds  the  former.  We 
first  have  a truth  presented  to  our  minds ; then 
we  canvass  it,  and  compare  it  with  relations  and 
opposites,  by  means  of  the  intellect  or  rational 
power  of  the  mind ; and  after  all  this  takes 
place,  and  we  begin  to  regulate  our  lives  by  it, 
we  have  a clear  perception  that  it  is  true,  which 
no  argument  can  obscure.  Now,  consider  life 
as  a whole,  and  all  truths  necessary  for  man’s 
elevation  as  one  truth.  First,  in  his  early  days, 
this  truth  is  taught  to  him,  and  it  is  a matter  of 
memory  only ; in  mature  years,  he  views  it  on 
all  sides,  canvasses  it,  tries  it  by  all  available 
standards,  and,  determining  its  quality,  makes  it 
the  guide  of  his  life.  Old  age  comes  on,  and 
the  intellect  rests  from  its  ’abors,  in  a clear  per- 


SELF-GOVERNMENT. 


103 


ception  of  the  great  truth  of  his  whole  life  ; 
and  this  is  a state  of  wisdom  — the  innocence 
of  wisdom.  What  is  the  opposite  of  this  state 
we  have  already  declared ; and  limited  indeed 
must  have  been  his  observation,  who  has  not 
seen  all  around  him  the  sad  evidences  of  its 
existence. 

From  what  has  now  been  advanced,  the  great 
importance  of  right  self-government  may  be 
clearly  seen.  Every  young  man  will  discover  in 
himself  disorderly  tendencies,  and  a disposition 
to  infringe  the  rights  and  comforts  of  others,  in 
seeking  his  own  gratification.  These  are  all 
evils,  and  must  come  under  proper  control,  from 
right  ends,  or  old  age  will  find  him,  at  last,  with 
a host  of  ungovernable  impulses  struggling  in 
his  bosom,  and  overmastering  him  in  every  feeble 
effort  he  makes  to  subdue  them. 

Right  ends  are  a regard  to  others’  good  as 
well  as  our  own ; and  this  regard  may  be  felt  and 
exercised  as  much  in  an  effort  to  reform  a habit 
of  mind  that  acts  as  a hinderance  to  success  in 
the  world,  as  in  the  shunning  of  an  evil  that  di- 
rectly injures  our  fellow-man ; for  any  thing  that 
interferes  with  our  success  circumscribes  our 
means  of  usefulness. 

We  hardly  deem  it  necessary  to  enter  into  any 
minute  particulars  as  to  the  manner  of  self 


104 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


government.  Every  one  understands  enough  of 
his  own  character  to  see  its  defects ; and  when  he 
understands  the  great  importance  of  correcting 
these,  and  controlling  those  propensities,  habits, 
and  inclinations  that  stand  in  the  way  of  his  ele- 
vation, both  as  to  things  external  and  things  that 
appertain  to  his  mind,  he  will  not  be  at  a loss  how 
to  act.  The  willingness  to  act  is  the  great  desid- 
eratum. 

But  one  or  two  illustrations  may  help  the  young 
man  who  really  desires  to  get  the  mastery  over 
himself,  to  some  thoughts  in  the  right  direction. 

Thomas  R had,  naturally,  an  impatient 

temper.  This  was  his  greatest  defect  of  charac- 
ter, and  often  overshadowed  the  finer  qualities  of 
his  mind,  destroying  his  influence  for  good  in  po- 
sitions and  under  circumstances  where  that  influ- 
ence could  have  been  of  lasting  value.  The  first 
efforts  which  he  made  to  overcome  this  hasty  tem- 
per, after  reaching  to  years  of  manhood,  were  in- 
spired by  the  feeling  of  shame  at  the  weakness  he 
displayed,  while  under  excitement.  Of  course, 
the  shame  was  as  to  intensity,  in  the  degree  that 
he  valued  the  good  opinion  of  those  before  whom 
he  betrayed  his  infirmity.  This  led  him  to  the 
exercise  of  self-control  from  a merely  external  and 
selfish  consideration  ) and  chiefly  when  in  the  pre- 
sence of  those  before  whom  he  wished  to  appear 


SELF-GOVERNMENT. 


105 


well.  He  did  not,  under  this  system  of  repres- 
sion, gain  any  true  power  over  himself.  The  evil 
was  not  reduced  in  potency,  only  hidden  when  it 
was  felt  that  its  exhibition  would  be  an  injury  to 
himself. 

At  home,  Thomas  II was  as  irritable  as 

ever ; and  this  gave  proof  that  he  was  only  cov- 
ering up  his  natural  defect  of  character;  not 
changing  it  through  a resolute  opposition  based  on 
principle. 

This  kind  of  self-government,  having  its  origin 
in  pride,  shame,  or  self  interest,  and  not  in  a just 
regard  for  others,  gives  a man  no  true  power  over 
himself.  The  fire  still  smoulders  within,  and 
sooner  or  later  breaks  out  into  consuming  flames 
The  moment  he  feels  that  disguise  is  no  longer 
required,  a man  becomes  his  true  self  again,  and 
you  see  that  the  virtue  for  which  he  received  cre- 
d’.t,  was  only  an  assumed  exterior. 

As  Thomas  11 mingled  more  largely  in  so- 

ciety, he  felt  the  necessity  of  guarding,  with  in- 
creased care,  his  quick  temper.  Its  exhibitions 
would  not  only  bring  him  into  trouble,  but  lessen 
that  good  opinion  he  was  desirous  to  secure.  lie 
felt  that  he  was  really  overcoming  his  weakness, 
and  congratulated  himself,  on  mauy  occasions, 
when,  under  strong  provocation,  he  managed  to 
keep  down  his  fiery  impulses,  and  maintain  a com* 


106 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


posed  exterior.  But  all  this  repression  was  from 
the  outside,  not  from  an  interior  principle.  He 
did  not  master  himself,  because  it  was  an  evil  thing 
to  act  from  mere  passion  • but  he  used  bit  and  bri- 
dle to  hold  down  his  struggling  impulses,  lest  in 
their  exhibition  he  should  suffer  the  loss  of  some 
external  good  things  that  were  highly  valued. 

It  must  be  plain  to  the  reader,  that  Thomas 

B, was  not  really  governing  himself  to  any 

permanent  good  purpose.  That  he  was  not  grow- 
ing less  irritable  in  disposition,  but  only  concealing 
a hereditary  defect,  which  every  high  considera- 
tion required  him  to  overcome.  As  if  to  warn 
him  of  his  error,  this  impatient  spirit  would,  on 
occasions  when  he  happened  to  be  less  watchful 
than  usual,  exhibit  itself  under  circumstances  pe- 
culiarly mortifying. 

“ I must  be  more  on  my  guard,”  he  would  say 
to  himself,  when  suffering  the  consequent  humil- 
iation; not — “ I must  conquer  this  bad  temper, 
because  it  is  an  evil  thing,  and  constantly  doing 
hurt  to  others.”  It  was  the  hurt  to  himself  that 
troubled  him  most,  not  the  possession  of  a quality 
of  mind  that,  wherever  it  had  freedom  to  act, 
hurt  others.  And  so  the  inherited  defect  was 
really  gaining  power,  instead  of  losing  its  vitality. 
It  was  an  enemy  lying  in  wait  to  enter  the 


SELF-GOVERNMENT. 


107 


citadel  at  any  moment  when  the  gate  was  left  un 
guarded. 

The  marriage  of  Thomas  R , that  most  im- 

portant event  in  a man’s  life,  removed  him  from 
the  home  in  which  he  had  lived  from  childhood, 
and  where  his  true  disposition  was  known  to  the 
regret  of  all.  Even  tempered,  rightly  disciplined, 
unmoved  under  provocation,  as  he  appeared  to  the 
world,  the  inmates  of  his  old  home  knew,  by  the 
memory  of  too  many  unpleasant  experiences,  that  he 
was  unchanged  as  to  his  inner  quality.  It  was  a 
relief  to  father,  mother,  brothers,  and  sisters,  when 
he  went  out  from  among  them,  and  established 
home  for  himself;  for  he  had  been  the  centre  of 
disturbance,  on  account  of  his  hasty  temper,  from 
a child  upwards.  But  for  this  infirmity,  he  was 
to  be  esteemed  and  valued,  for  he  had  a kind  heart, 
and  was  honorable  in  his  feelings. 

The  young  lady  to  whom  he  was  married,  had 
been  warned  of  his  impatient  temper.  But  he 
managed  to  conceal  it  so  well  during  the  period 
of  courtship,  that  she  believed  him  to  be  one  of 
the  most  amiable  of  men.  He  never  meant  to  de- 
ceive her.  But  he  did  not  know  himself,  nor 
really  understand  the  motives  from  which  he 
acted.  It  was  an  easy  task  to  be  amiable  and  even 
tempered  while  in  her  company,  and  it  did  not 
seem  to  him  that  he  assumed  an  exterior  in  any 


108 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


case  not  in  agreement  with  his  real  character. 
He  knew  that  he  was  more  irritable  while  at  home 
than  when  any  where  else ; but  this,  it  seemed  to 
him.  was  in  consequence  of  the  irritating  causes 
which  ever  had  been  and  were  still  in  existence 
there.  When  in  his  own  home,  and  with  his  be- 
loved one  for  a companion,  he  felt  sure  that  the 
days  would  pass  in  sweet  tranquillity,  and  that,  all 
exciting  causes  removed,  he  would  not  again  re- 
lapse into  the  unhappy  states  which  had  troubled 
him  from  the  days  of  childhood. 

But  this,  alas  ! was  a fond  delusion,  born  of 
self-love  and  ignorance  as  to  the  real  quality  of  his 
own  mind.  It  was  not  long  after  his  marriage, 
ere,  in  an  unguarded  moment,  his  impatient  tem- 
per showed  itself.  Something  done  by  his  young 
wife  annoyed  him  so  much  as  to  destroy  his  men- 
tal equilibrium,  and  he  threw  at  her  a few  impa- 
tient, accusing  words,  which  stung  her  heart,  and 
brought  a rain  of  tears  from  her  eyes.  Scarcely 
was  the  word  uttered,  before  it  was  followed  by 
regret. 

“ Why  was  I not  more  guarded  ?”  he  said  in  his 
thought,  and  with  a feeling  of  self-rebuke. 

There  was  a shadow  for  days  in  this  new  home, 
which  was  to  be  a paradise  of  love  and  tranquillity. 
The  young  wife’s  sensitive  heart  could  not  recover 
from  the  painful  shock  it  had  received,  though 


SELF-GOVERNMENT. 


109 


tenderly  her  repentant  husband  carried  himself 
towards  her.  He  had  shown  her  a new  site  of  his 
character,  and  the  exhibition  was  frightful  to  con- 
template. A hasty,  passionate  man  ! Could  this 
possibly  be  true  of  her  husband  ? She  remem- 
bered the  long  ago  warning,  and  trembled  lest  it 
might  have  been  only  too  well  grounded. 

u I will  be  more  guarded,”  resolutely  and  often 
did  the  young  husband  repeat  these  words  to  him- 
self. But  this  was  only  touching  the  evil  upon 
the  outside.  This  was  to  be  the  same  man  that  he 
had  always  been.  It  was  not  a guard  that  was 
needed  to  watch  the  enemy  prisoned  in  his  heart, 
but  the  strong  arm  of  principle  to  dislodge  that 
enemy.  As  might  naturally  be  supposed,  no  very 
long  time  passed  before  the  guard  was  relaxed, 
and  then  the  ever  watchful  enemy  struck  fiercely 
again. 

This  time,  R justified  himself  in  his  own 

thoughts.  His  impatience  was  provoked  by  the 
act  of  his  wife ) and  though  he  was  sorry  to  see 
her  in  tears,  he  said  to  himself  that  she  deserved 
the  sharp  rebuke  which  fell  from  his  lips.  Still, 
he  resolved  to  be  more  guarded  ; for  it  was  pain- 
ful to  himself  to  have  the  sun  of  love  hidden  be- 
neath weeping  clouds. 

It  took  less  than  a year  for  the  removal  of  all 
disguises.  A man  is  usually  himself  at  home. 


110 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


If  passionate,  tyrannical,  overbearing,  selfish,  or 
sensual,  the  quality  reveals  itself  fully  when  he 
withdraws  from  the  public  eye,  and  gives  the  rein 
to  his  appetites  and  impulses.  It  took  a long,  sad 

time  for  the  wife  of  Thomas  R to  get  in  any 

degree  reconciled  to  her  husband's  infirmity  of 
temper,  over  which  he  seemed  to  exercise  scarcely 
any  control,  except  when  away  from  home.  Then 
he  guarded  himself  for  the  sake  of  appearance, 
not  that  he  put  on,  of  design,  hypocritical  sem- 
blances, but  from  habit,  he  assumed  a placid  ex- 
terior, even  under  irritating  circumstances. 

Thus  it  came,  that  he  exercised  no  true  self-gov- 
ernment. All  the  government  of  himself  that 
there  was,  merely  touched  the  external — it  never 
went  down  to  the  springs  of  action.  And  so,  at 
thirty  he  was  the  same  internally,  that  he  was  at 
twenty ; and  at  forty,  he  had  only  learned  to  hide 
more  skillfully  the  impulses  that  throbbed  with 
undiminished  life.  In  his  family,  he  was  the  same 
impatient,  irritable  being  that  he  was  years  before 
in  the  home  of  his  boyhood ; and  having  the 
power,  this  hasty  temper  often  led  him  into  unjust 
and  tyrannical  conduct,  the  effects  of  which  caused 
him,  many  times,  painful  regrets  and  self-condem- 
nation. 

An  irritable,  impatient  father  can  never  have 
the  affection  of  his  children.  They  may  fear,  but 


SELF-GOVERNMENT. 


Ill 


cannot  respect  him  ) and  where  there  is  no  respect, 
there  can  be  no  love.  It  was  so  with  the  children 

of  Mr.  It . As  the  sons  grew  to  manhood, 

they  went  to  distant  cities,  repelled  by  the  home 
that  should  have  drawn  upon  their  hearts  with  a 
strong  attraction.  At  the  age  of  fifty,  the  patient, 

long-suffering,  much  enduring  wife  of  Mr.  It , 

her  duty  done  to  her  children,  lay  down  to  rest 
in  that  quiet  sleep  from  which  the  awakening  is 
beyond  the  grave,  and  he  was  left  without  sympa- 
thy or  companionship,  just  at  the  age  when  exter- 
nal restraint  begins  to  fail,  and  a man  acts  him- 
self out  under  all  circumstances. 

He  grew  into  a peevish,  complaining,  irritable 
old  man.  Not  only  irritable  at  home,  but  every- 
where. If  jostled  on  the  side-walk,  he  would  ut- 
ter an  angry  ejaculation  ; if  crowded  in  an  omni- 
bus or  car,  or  asked  to  put  himself  out  a little  for 
another’s  accommodation,  he  would  chafe  and  fret 
himself,  and  show  to  all  his  easily  besetting  sin. 
All  the  lines  of  his  face  indicated  an  impatient 
spirit,  and  his  mouth  seemed  always  ready  to 
utter  an  angry  word.  He  was  a burden  and  an 
annoyance  to  every  one,  in  consequence  of  his 
unhappy  disposition  ; and  when  death  at  last 
removed  him,  even  his  children  rejoiced  to  see  him 
laid  to  rest. 

It  would  have  been  wholly  different,  if  he  had 


112 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


government,  instead  of  merely  guarding  himself. 
If  he  had  gone  down  to  the  root  of  the  evil,  in- 
stead of  merely  hiding  its  effects  from  the  world, 
then  he  would  have  become  a true  man,  holding 
passion  beneath  his  feet.  A true  man,  such  as 
you,  my  young  friend,  may  and  should  become ; 
and  to  attain  to  which  is  worthy  of  your  h.ghest 
ambition,  for  the  noblest  of  all  achievements  is  a 
man’s  thorough  conquest  of  himself. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

INDOLENCE  AND  WANT  OF  ORDER. 

More  young  men  are  hindered  from  arriving 
at  positions  of  honor  and  eminent  usefulness,  by 
indolence  and  want  of  order,  than  from  any 
other  causes.  Nothing  great  is  ever  achieved, 
except  by  industry  and  earnest  application,  com- 
bined with  an  orderly  arrangement  of  all  the  means 
necessary  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  object  in 
view.  From  this  may  be  clearly  seen  the  im- 
portance of  habits  of  industry  and  order.  With- 
out them,  little  can  be  done;  with  them,  :ilm<»t 
everything. 


INDOLENCE  AND  WANT  OF  ORDER  113 

An  active  and  energetic  mind  may  achieve 
much,  even  where  there  is  great  want  of  order ; 
but  indolence  chains  a man  down,  and  keeps 
him  fast  in  one  position ; it  is,  therefore  the 
most  serious  defect  of  the  two,  and  should  be 
striven  against  with  unwearying  perseverance. 

The  want  of  an  adequate  purpose  is  what 
makes  a man  indolent.  The  Indian  will  spend 
days  and  weeks  in  slothfulness  and  inactivity, 
and  to  an  observer  seem  the  most  inefficient  and 
powerless  of  human  beings  ; but  let  the  war- 
whoop  sound,  or  a deer  go  bounding  past  his  wig- 
wam, and  he  is  instantly  as  full  of  fire,  strength, 
and  endurance  as  a war-horse.  All  his  slumber- 
ing energies  have  aroused  themselves.  He  feels 
the  force  of  an  adequate  purpose.  A man’s  love 
is  his  life ; and  here  we  see  its  illustration.  The 
very  life’s  love  of  the  Indian  is  war  and  the 
chase.  In  the  pursuit  of  them,  every  energy  of 
body  and  mind  is  brought  into  activity.  But 
when  the  tomahawk  is  buried,  or  he  comes  home 
from  his  hunting-grounds,  he  sinks  into  apparent 
imbecility. 

The  Indian  is  a mere  savage;  he  is  but  a sin- 
gle remove  from  the  brute ; the  instincts  of  his 
nature  are  his  prompters.  But  civilized  man 
stands  far  above  him,  and  is,  or  ought  to  be,  ac- 
tuated by  reason,  and  not  by  instinct.  His  ra* 
8 


114 


ADVICE  TO  YCUNG  MEN 


tional  intelligence  should  give  him  tne  force  of 
an  adequate  purpose ; and  this  it  will  give  him, 
if  he  but  call  in  its  aid. 

Activity  is  the  result  of  some  end  or  affection 
of  the  mind.  Where  no  purpose  is  in  the  mind, 
there  is  indolence ; but  when  there  is  an  end  in 
view  of  sufficient  importance,  all  the  powers  of 
the  mind  come  into  spontaneous  activity.  Now, 
will  any  young  man  say  that  there  are  not  ob- 
jects for  him  to  attain,  of  sufficient  importance  to 
awaken  him  from  his  habits  of  indolence,  no 
matter  how  much  he  have  confirmed  himself  in 
them?  We  know  there  is  not  one  who  does  not, 
at  times,  feel  the  necessity  of  concentrating  ev- 
ery energy  he  possesses  upon  the  accomplishment 
of  some  end  ; but  the  evil  is,  the  thoughts  are 
not  kept  steadily  fixed  upon  the  end,  but  are  al- 
lowed to  wander  off  to  sport  with  unimportant 
things,  or  to  retire  in  mere  idle  musings ; and 
thence  comes  indolence ; for  if  there  is  no  pur- 
pose, there  will  be  no  activity. 

The  first  thing  to  be  done,  in  the  correction 
of  this  habit,  is  deliberately  to  resolve  upon 
doing  something  that  will  require  effort,  and  that 
a prolonged  one.  Let  the  object  in  view  be 
worth  attaining,  and  let  there  be  an  end  in  the 
mind  beyond  its  mere  attainment  — an  end  of 
use.  If  the  end  be  not  one  of  S(  me  importance, 


INDOLENCE  AND  WANT  OF  ORDE1.  115 

there  will  be  danger  of  its  not  inspiring  the  mind 
to  an  energetic  continuance  of  its  efforts. 

In  determining  the  object  of  pursuit,  a good 
question  for  any  one  to  ask  of  himself  is,  “ In 
what  am  I deficient  ? ” There  will  be  answers 
enough  to  this  question  to  awaken  up  all  a 
man’s  energies,  and  keep  them  awake  for  some 
time.  The  next  question  ought  to  be,  “ What 
will  it  be  most  useful  for  me  first  to  do  ? ” 
When  this  question  is  determined,  then  let  the 
individual  determining  it  resolve  that  he  will 
pursue  the  study  — for  it  ought  to  be  the  study 
of  something  that  will  give  the  mind  new  abilities 
to  act,  either  in  or  out  of  the  life-calling  in 
which  he  may  be  engaged  — with  diligence, 
until  he  have  acquired  all  that  is  necessary  for 
the  attainment  of  the  end  in  view.  And  let  him 
also  resolve,  that  he  will  fight  against  all  his  nat- 
ural habits  of  indolence  and  indisposition  to  ef- 
fort, that  have  too  long  hindered  his  progress. 
And  let  him  not  only  make  these  resolutions, 
but  let  him  keep  them  faithfully,  as  he  values 
his  highest  and  best  interests. 

Most  of  us  sleep  too  much.  From  six  and  a 
half  to  seven  hours’  sleep,  in  the  twenty-four,  are 
said  by  physicians  to  be  al  that  a healthy  man 
requires.  Not  more  than  ten  or  twelve  hours 
are  taken  up  in  business,  nor  should  be.  Prop- 


116 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNO  MEN 


erly-directed  effort  will  do  as  much  in  that  time 
as  it  could  possibly  do  if  more  hours  were  con- 
sumed in  business ; for  the  mind,  over-wearied, 
day  after  day,  in  bending  itself  in  one  direction, 
will  lose  its  ability  for  making  right  efforts.  In 
every  twenty-four  hours,  therefore,  there  are  from 
five  to  six  or  seven  hours,  which  every  man  is 
under  obligation  to  both  society  and  himself  to 
turn  to  some  good  account.  He  is  insane  if  he 
spend  it  in  mere  slothfulness  and  pleasure-taking. 

In  rightly  improving  this  time,  every  young 
man,  who  is  earnestly  seeking  to  unfold  the  native 
energies  of  his  mind  by  giving  it  the  food  which 
God  designed  that  it  should  receive,  will  soon 
discover,  that,  after  a night’s  repose,  his  mind  is 
clearer  and  more  vigorous  than  after  a day  spent 
in  labor,  and,  perhaps,  anxiety;  and  he  will  nat- 
urally seek  to  give  as  much  time  for  study  in  the 
morning  as  possible.  Early  rising  will  bring  to 
him  a twofold  benefit;  it  will  strengthen  both 
mind  and  body. 

To  a young  man  who  has  acquired  the  habit  of 
indulging  himself  in  morning  slothfulness,  it  will  be 
something  of  a trial  to  rise  at  five  o’clock,  in  both 
winter  and  summer ; but  the  self-denial  practised 
in  doing  this  will  be  so  fully  repaid,  in  a little  while 
that  we  are  sure  no  one,  who  has  awakened  up  to 
the  responsibility  of  his  position,  and  the  incalcu- 


INDOLENCE  AND  WANT  OF  ORDER.  117 

lable  benefits  that  must  result  from  efforts  such  as 
he  is  making,  will  sink  down  again  into  dis- 
graceful indolence.  It  is  no  hardship  to  rise 
early;  it  only  requires  an  effort  at  first;  and  when 
one  is  fairly  awake,  and  begins  to  drink  in  the 
pure  morning  air,  and  to  feel  a refreshing  sense 
of  new  life  and  vigor,  he  is  glad  that  he  is  not 
lost  in  dulness  or  leaden  insensibility.  The 
heavy  torpor  that  we  find  so  hard  to  overcome 
in  the  morning,  and  which  we  rest  in  as  a pleas- 
ant sensation,  is  misery  compared  to  the  sense  of 
life  that  runs  through  every  nerve  of  body  and 
mind  after  pure  cold  water  has  touched  the  face, 
and  the  lungs  have  expanded  with  the  fresh  and 
vigorous  morning  air. 

But  not  only  in  the  morning,  but  at  all  times, 
should  we  strive  against  this  feeling  of  indolence. 
Every  man  has  it;  but  only  they  whose  purposes 
are  strong  enough  to  enable  them  to  overcome  it, 
rise  to  any  eminence  in  the  world.  The  demands 
of  nature  keep  others  at  work  at  their  daily  tasks. 
Enough  earned  to  satisfy  these,  and  the  mind  and 
body  sink  again  into  inaction.  In  all,  there  is 
an  almost  unconquerable  reluctance  to  effort  of 
any  kind.  We  are  oppressed  by  an  inertia  that  it 
requires  some  force  to  overcome.  But  we  must, 
exercise  this  force,  and  do  it  daily ; and  we  shall 
find  the  task  more  and  more  easily  accomp  ished 


118 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


until  diligence  and  effort  become  to  us  almost  a 
second  nature. 

Next  to  indolence,  with  which  all  are  more  or 
less  affected,  comes  want  of  order,  which  in  some 
is  a constitutional  defect,  and  in  others  the  re- 
sult of  education  — or,  more  correctly  speaking, 
want  of  education.  Some  children  are  never 
taught  the  importance  of  order ; and,  as  very  few 
have  naturally  a love  of  order,  nearly  all  who  are 
thus  neglected  are  very  deficient  in  this  respect 
when  they  become  men.  But  it  is  never  too  late 
to  correct  this  bad  habit ; and  the  quicker  a young 
man  begins  to  do  so,  the  better.  Let  him  com- 
mence by  having  in  his  own  chamber,  for  in- 
stance, a place  for  every  thing,  and  by  being 
careful  to  have  every  thing  in  its  place.  If  a 
clerk,  the  same  order  should  be  observed  at  his 
desk.  First,  there  should  be  a system  established, 
by  which  to  arrange  all  his  books  and  papers  in 
the  best  way  for  access  and  reference ; and  then, 
when  a book  has  been  used,  or  a paper  referred  to, 
it  should  invariably  be  returned  to  its  proper  place, 
before  any  thing  else  is  done.  The  same  rule, 
of  a place  for  every  thing  and  every  thing  in  its 
place,  should  be  observed  by  all,  in  every  calling. 
The  most  fruitful  source  of  disorder  lies  in  the 
habit  most  persons  have  of  laying  a thing  down 
in  the  first  place  that  presents  itself,  after  using 


INDOLENCE  AND  WANT  OF  ORDER.  119 

it,  instead  of  restoring  it  to  where  it  properly 
belongs.  It  seems  to  many,  when  in  a hurry,  s 
waste  of  time  to  carefully  return  a thing  to  the 
place  from  which  they  have  taken  it,  instead  of 
throwing  it  down  any  where;  but  this  is  a great 
mistake : the  very  reverse  is  the  truth. 

if.  in  all  the  little  matters  of  daily  business  or 
domestic  arrangement,  a system  of  order  be  ob- 
served, it  will  become  so  impressed  upon  the 
mind  as  to  show  itself  in  things  of  more  impor 
tance.  From  adopting  in  things  of  lesser  moment 
an  orderly  arrangement,  a man  will  naturally  pur- 
sue an  orderly  arrangement  in  all  his  more  im- 
portant affairs,  and  thus  insure  success,  which 
would  otherwise  have  been  extremely  doubtful. 

As  nothing  great  can  be  accomplished  without 
industry  and  an  earnest  purpose,  so  nothing  great 
can  be  accomplished  without  order.  The  one  is 
indispensable  to  the  other,  and  they  go  hand  in 
hand,  as  co-workers,  in  man’s  elevation 
A young  man  whose  early  training  had  been 
defective,  and  whose  early  opportunities  for  educa- 
tion limited,  found  himself  at  twenty  two  years 
of  age  occupying  the  lowest  place  in  a large 
wholesale  store  in  Philadelphia — that  of  porter — 
at  a salary  of  three  hundred  dollars  a year.  He 
was  naturally  indolent  and  given  to  self-indulgence, 
and  these,  more  than  anything  else,  ftad  conspired 


120 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


to  keep  him  in  a low  external  condition.  At 
fifteen  he  attempted  to  learn  a trade,  but  the  early 
hour  at  which  he  was  required  to  be  at  work,  and 
the  steady  industry,  running  through  from  ten  to 
twelve  hours  of  the  day,  which  was  demanded, 
were  more  than  he  would  submit  to;  and  so,  after 
three  or  four  months’  trial,  he  gave  up  the  effort. 

Unfortunately  for  him,  he  had  a father  upon 
whom  he  could  lean.  Not  a rich  father ; nor  one 
in  easy  circumstances ; but  one  who  was  only  a 
hard  working  mechanic,  gathering  by  daily  toil  a 
scanty  supply  of  food  and  clothing  for  his  family. 
From  the  work  shop,  where  he  might  have  ac- 
quired a useful  trade,  the  boy  went  into  a store. 
But  as  no  salary  was  to  be  paid  until  the  com- 
mencement of  a second  year,  he  soon  got  tired,  as 
he  said,  of  working  for  nothing,  and  left  a situa- 
tion in  which  only  industry  and  order  on  his  part 
were  required  to  give  him  a standing  and  secure 
his  future  good  fortune. 

Then  came  a whole  year  of  idleness,  in  which 
some  dangerous  bad  habits  were  formed  ; and  then 
a year  of  intermittent  industry.  And  so  it  had 
gone  on,  until  the  death  of  his  father,  just  after 
he  became  of  age,  threw  him  out  upon  the  world, 
scarcely  better  able  to  provide  for  himself  than 
the  fledgeling  pushed  forth  from  its  nest.  If  he 
had  stood  afone,  the  case  would  have  looked  to  him 


INDOLENCE  AND  WANT  OP  ORDER.  121 

more  hopeful : but,  there  were  a mother  and  two 
young  sisters,  and  their  eyes  turned  naturally  to- 
ward him,  strong,  healthy,  and  just  on  the  verge 
of  manhood.  He  had  a kind,  affectionate  nature; 
and  his  heart  answered  to  the  mute  appeal  of  their 
eyes.  No,  he  could  not,  he  would  not  desert 
them  ; but  would  gather  up  his  strength,  go  out 
into  the  world,  and  make  an  effort  to  sustain  them 
by  his  labor. 

But,  what  could  he  do?  Ah,  there  came  the 
perplexing  and  disheartening  question.  He  had 
no  trade.  He  knew  nothing  of  accounts.  He 
could  scarcely  write  a legible  hand.  Yet  some- 
thing must  be  done.  The  wolf  was  at  the  door 
of  his  beloved  ones,  now  solely  dependent  on  him; 
and  his  arm  must  battle  with  the  hungry  beast 
and  slay  him. 

For  weeks  he  sought  for  some  kind  of  regular 
employment;  but  only  met  with  little  odd  jobs  of 
porterage  and  the  like ; not  earning  over  fifty 
cents  a day.  Then  he  was  so  fortunate  as  to  get 
the  situation  of  porter  in  a large  wholesale  store 
at  a salary  of  three  hundred  dollars.  This  was  in 
mid-winter.  The  duties  of  the  situation  required 
him  to  be  first  at  the  store,  and  as  he  lived  nearly 
a mile  distant,  he  had  to  rise  before  daylight,  in 
order  to  be  at  his  post  in  time. 

It  went  hard  wifh  him,  this  new  life ; but  the 


122 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


pressure  of  necessity  kept  him  up  to  the  mark 
He  had  a quick  mind,  and  he  soon  began,  under 
the  influence  of  this  new  set  of  circumstances,  to 
observe  and  think  in  a way  to  which  he  had  never 
been  accustomed.  He  began  to  understand  the 
difference  of  power  which  skill  imparts — skill  in 
any  thing.  The  fact  that  a young  man  whose 
natural  ability  was  not  equal  to  his  own,  but  who 
could  write  a fair  hand,  and  make  calculations 
readily,  stood  far  above  him  in  the  store  as  to 
position  and  income,  was  something  very  sugges- 
tive. “I’ll  go  to  night  school/'  he  said  to  himself, 
one  day,  as  this  subject  pressed  itself  upon  his 
thoughts.  “ I'll  gain  a better  knowledge  of  figures, 
and  practice  writing.’' 

But,  this  state  of  enthusiasm  was  at  first  only  a 
temporary  condition.  On  reaching  home  at  night, 
weary  from  the  day’s  hard  service,  he  felt  but 
little  inclination  for  study ; and  lounged  through 
the  evening,  or  spent  the  hours  in  company  with 
young  men  who  were  idle  and  aimless — old  com- 
panions who  still  clung  to  him. 

The  right  thought,  however,  had  found  a lodge- 
ment in  his  mind,  and  it  was  not  an  idle  thought. 
Daily  the  contrast  between  himself  and  other  young 
men  in  the  store  was  pressed  upon  him ; and  gra- 
dually resolution  acquired  strength,  until  it  pro- 
duced action.  The  night  school  was  at  last  entered; 


INDOLENCE  AND  WANT  Or  ORDER.  123 


and  then  came  the  earnest  work.  V ery  slow  were  the 
first  steps;  difficult  to  be  taken;  and  often  attended 
by  the  spirit  of  discouragement.  But  a purpose 
had  been  formed ; and  this  was  the  spur  to  his 
mind.  One  of  the  first  good  results  was  a separa- 
tion of  himself  from  certain  young  acquaintances, 
who  had  no  ambition  of  the  right  kind;  who  were 
too  mentally  indolent  for  improvement.  Their 
indolence,  and  love  of  mere  sensual  pleasures,  had 
helped  to  keep  him  down  to  their  low  level. 

It  was  noticed  in  time,  that  he  wrote  a tolerably 
legible  band,  and  the  shipping  clerk  seeing  this, 
transferred  to  him  the  duty  of  filling  up  bills  of 
lading,  and  slip  receipts  for  goods.  He  was  pleased 
with  this  acknowledgment  of  his  progress,  which 
had  been  rather  discouraging  in  his  own  eyes,  and 
took  especial  pains  to  be  correct  and  orderly. 

The  shipping  clerk,  whose  social  advantages 
had  been  in  every  way  superior  to  those  of  our 
young  porter,  whom  we  will  simply  call  James, 
for  convenience  of  identity,  was  not  by  any  means 
as  much  interested  in  his  daily  duties  as  he  was 
in  his  evening  pleasures.  He  didn’t  like  work, 
and  was  ready  to  shift  off  upon  others  whatever 
could  readily  be  transferred.  So,  finding  that 
James  was  willing,  intelligent,  and  accommoda- 
ting, he  delegated  one  duty  after  another,  until 


124 


ADVICE  TO  YOT/NG  MEN. 


not  less  than  a third  of  his  work  was  done  by  the 
porter. 

Thrifty  employers  generally  see  all  that  is  going 
on  in  their  establishments,  and  it  did  not  escape 
the  notice  of  a member  of  the  firm,  that  James 
was  doing  duty  as  a shipping  clerk,  as  well  as  por- 
ter. He  looked  on  in  silence,  but  noted  the 
manner  in  which  the  porter  executed  the  tasks  of 
pen  and  figure  work  that  the  shipping  clerk  re- 
quired of  him.  One  day,  about  a year  after  J ames 
weut  into  the  store,  it  happened  that  from  sick- 
ness or  some  other  cause,  the  shipping  clerk  was 
absent.  It  was  in  the  height  of  the  busy  season, 
and  the  hands  of  every  one  were  full.  So  this 
member  of  the  firm,  who  had  been  observing  the 
porter,  said  to  him  : 

“ James,  do  you  think  you  can  attend  to  the 
shipment  of  goods  to-day  ?” 

“ Yes,  sir,”  was  the  prompt  answer. 

“Very  well.  We’ll  get  some  one  to  do  your 
work,  and  make  you  shipping  clerk,  pro  tem- 
pore.” 

To  be  called  a shipping  clerk,  pleased  James 
mightily,  and  awakened  new  throbbings  of  ambi- 
tion in  his  mind.  He  performed  all  the  duties  of 
the  position  for  that  day,  satisfactorily ; better, 
indeed,  than  they  were  usually  performed  by  the 
person  whose  place  he  had  filled. 


INDOLENCE  AND  WANT  OF  ORDER.  125 

On  the  next  day,  the  shipping  clerk  being  still 
absent,  James  took  his  place  again,  and  so  on  the 
day  following.  So  pleased  was  the  member  of  the 
firm  who  had  entrusted  him  with  these  duties,  at 
his  promptness,  intelligence,  and  accuracy,  that 
he  began  to  regard  him  with  a new  interest,  and 
to  look  upon  him  as  a valuable  young  man  in  the 
establishment. 

When  the  shipping  clerk  returned  to  his  post, 
he  became  the  object  of  a closer  attention  than 
usual ; and  some  comparisons  that  were  made  be- 
tween him  and  James,  were  not  altogether  in  his 
favor.  Like  too  many  young  men,  he  kept  bad 
hours,  and  was,  in  consequence,  heavy  in  the 
morning,  and  a late  riser.  A natural  indolence, 
and  inclination  to  self-indulgence,  prevented  any 
successful  resistance  of  his  morning  sleepiness, 
and  though  called  by  the  servant  at  his  boarding- 
house in  good  time,  he  was  rarely  down  to  break- 
fast until  long  after  the  period  when  he  should 
have  been  at  the  store.  This  was  not  satisfac- 
tory to  his  employers,  who  occasionally  remon- 
strated. 

About  this  time,  some  serious  errors  in  the  ship- 
ment of  goods  were  discovered,  and  the  clerk,  on 
being  called  to  account  rather  sharply,  became 
angry,  and  spoke  in  a way  that  was  offensive. 
His  dismissal  from  the  house  followed  as  a conse< 


126 


advice  to  young  men. 


quence.  The  porter  was  raised  to  the  vacant  post, 
and  his  salary  increased  to  the  sum  of  five  hun- 
dred dollars. 

Now,  James  had  life  and  purpose  sufficient  to 
overcome  all  his  natural  indolence.  This  rapid 
elevation  to  a place  for  which  he  had  made  himself 
competent  in  a short  time,  showed  him  the  way 
upwards,  and  he  determined  to  climb  patiently 
and  perseveringly.  All  his  evenings  were  spent 
in  self-improvement.  He  took  not  only  one  course 
of  lessons  from  a writing  teacher,  but  many,  de- 
termining to  acquire  a style  of  penmanship  that 
would  fit  him  for  any  place,  where  other  qualifi- 
cations were  of  the  right  character.  He  studied 
book-keeping,  also.  For  two  years  he  occupied 
the  place  of  shipping  clerk.  Then,  a higher  po- 
sition was  made  vacant,  in  consequence  of  the  in- 
dolent habits  of  a clerk,  and  he  was  again  ele- 
vated. 

Two  years  afterwards,  his  services  were  required 
in  a still  more  important  place,  the  incumbent  of 
which  had  also  grown  indolent,  and,  in  conse- 
quence, unreliable.  His  salary  was  now  one  thou- 
sand dollars.  And  so  he  continued  to  rise  from 
one  position  to  another,  until,  from  chief  and  con- 
fidential clerk,  he  became  a member  of  the  firm. 
He  is  now  a man  of  large  fortune,  all  of  which  he 
owes  to  a resolute  character,  by  which  he  over 


INDOLENCE  AND  WANT  OF  ORDER. 


m 


came  early  defects  and  bad  habits,  not  the  least  of 
which  was  indolence. 

In  the  history  of  most  successful  men,  whether 
in  science,  art,  or  trade,  it  will  be  found  that  the 
first  real  movement  upwards  did  not  take  place, 
until,  in  a spirit  of  resolute  self-denial,  indolence, 
so  natural  to  almost  every  one,  was  mastered. 
Necessity  is,  usually,  the  spur  that  sets  the  slug- 
gish energies  in  motion.  Poverty,  therefore,  is 
oftener  a blessing  to  a young  man  than  prosperity; 
for,  while  the  one  tends  to  stimulate  his  powers, 
the  other  inclines  them  to  languor  and  disuse. 
But,  is  it  not  very  discreditable  for  the  young  man, 
who  is  favored  with  education,  friends,  and  all  the 
outside  advantages  which  could  be  desired  as 
means  to  worldly  success,  to  let  those  who  stand 
in  these  respects,  at  the  beginning,  far  below  him, 
gradually  approach  as  the  steady  years  move  on, 
and  finally  outstrip  him  in  the  race  ? It  is  not 
only  discreditable,  but  disgraceful.  A man’s  true 
position  in  society,  is  that  which  he  achieves  for 
himself — he  is  worth  to  the  world  no  more,  no  less. 
As  he  builds  for  society  in  useful  work,  so  he  builds 
for  himself.  He  is  a man  for  what  he  does,  not  for 
what  his  father  or  his  friends  have  done.  If  they 
have  done  well,  and  given  him  a position,  the  deeper 
the  shame,  if  he  sink  down  to  a meaner  level 
through  self-indulgence  and  indolence. 


128 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

INTIMATE  FRIENDSHIPS. 

While  there  is  a use  in  intimate  friendships, 
there  is  also  no  little  danger.  An  intimate  friend- 
ship with  a bad  man  will  almost  inevitably  cor- 
rupt one  of  pure  morals;  for  it  is  much  easier  to 
pervert  than  to  restore  to  good,  because  evil  in 
man  usually  seeks  more  ardently  for  the  attain-'" 
ment  of  its  ends  than  good. 

The  danger  of  an  intimate  acquaintance  with 
a bad  man  will  be  seen  in  what  we  are  about  to 
relate. 

Two  mothers,  who  had  been  intimate  friends 
from  girlhood,  had  each  a son,  whose  ages  were 
nearly  alike.  The  children,  while  young,  were 
not,  from  various  causes,  thrown  much  together,, 
and,  when  old  enough  to  go  to  college,  were  sent 

to  different  institutions.  Charles  S had  ever 

been  of  a mild,  obedient,  teachable  disposition; 
while  James  L was  the  very  reverse  — pas- 

sionate,, self-willed,  and  intractable.  The  one 
was  a blessing  to  ris  family,  the  other  a trouble 
to  all  his  friends. 


INTIMATE  FRIENDSHIPS. 


129 


As  young  men,  they  came  home  from  college 
unchanged  in  their  peculiar  dispositions.  Charles 
S was  domestic  in  his  habits,  mild  and  gen- 

tlemanly in  his  deportment,  and  showed  no  incli- 
nation to  run  into  the  excesses  so  peculiar  to  his 

age.  James  L , on  the  contrary,  had  no  taste 

for  the  home  circle.  It  was  too  tame  for  him. 
And  the  temptations  that  met  one  of  his  temper-' 
ament,  beyond  this  circle,  were  corrupting  him 

with  fearful  rapidity.  James  L was  an  only 

son,  and  his  mother’s  affections  had  ever  been 
earnestly  drawn  out  towards  him.  The  excesses 
into  which  he  was  running  greatly  distressed  her, 
and  she  often,  by  tender  entreaty  and  earnest  ex- 
postulation, sought  to  draw  him  away  from  his 
infatuation.  But  all  in  vain.  He  had  tasted  the 
cup  of  sensual  delight,  and  it  had  fired  all  the 
corrupt  passions  of  his  nature. 

One  day,  while  on  a visit  to  Mrs.  S , the 

mother  of  James  L said,  — 

“Ah,  what  would  I not  give  if  James  was  like 
your  Charles!  I believe  I should  be  the  happiest 
mother  alive.  But  from  the  day  of  his  birth,  my 
boy  has  been  a trouble  to  me ; and  I fear  he  will 
continue  to  be  so  until  the  day  of  his  death.” 

“ Charles  has  always  been  a good  boy,”  replied 

Mis.  S . “ He  is  a great  comfort  to  me  now, 

for  he  appears  to  love  home  better  than  any  place 
else.”  a 


130 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


“ While  my  James  loves  any  place  better  than 
home.  Ah  me ! He  will  break  my  heart,  I fear, 
at  last.” 

c‘  O,  no,  I hope  not.  Young  men  are  often 
wild  at  first  But  a few  years  sober  them 
down.”  • 

“ Such  may  be  the  case,  but  I am  very  fearful. 
I wish  he  had  some  better  companions  than  those 
with  whom  I think  he  now  associates.” 

This  remark  led  on  to  others  referring  to  the 
great  influence  a young  man’s  associates  have 
over  him  in  leading  him  into  or  away  from  evil ; 
and  finally  it  was  settled  between  the  mothers 
that  great  good  might  result  from  making  the 
young  men  better  acquainted  with  each  other. 

“ O,  I am  sure  it  will  be  the  best  thing  in  the 
world  for  my  James,  if  he  were  to  form  an  attach- 
ment for  Charles,”  Mrs.  L said,  as  she  re- 

ferred to  the  matter,  after  it  had  been  settled  that 
the  two  young  men  should  be  thrown  together  as 
much  as  possible. 

To  accomplish  this,  it  was  arranged,  between 

Mrs.  S and  Mrs.  L , that  they  should 

visit  each  other  frequently,  and  induce  their  sons, 
as  often  as  it  could  be  done,  to  accompany  them. 
By  this  means  it  occurred  that  the  young  men 
often  met,  and  either  in  conversation  or  in  games 
of  chess,  at  which  both  were  skilful  and  nearlv 


INTIMATE  FRIENDSHIPS. 


131 


matched,  passed  the  time  they  were  compelled 
to  spend  in  each  other’s  society.  Somehow  or 
other  — -not  by  the  law  of  similarity,  certainly  — 
the  two  young  men  formed  a friendship  for  each 
other,  which  increased  until  it  assumed  a very 
intimate  character.  And  now  came  the  impor- 
tant crisis  — the  turning  point  — when  the  pre- 
ponderance would  be  in  favor  of  either  good  or 
evil  — when  the  good  principles  of  the  one  would 
not  only  defend  him  against  evil,  but  give  him 
power  to  lead  the  other  out  of  evil,  or  when  the 
evil  would  subdue  and  destroy  the  good.  It  was  a 
period  of  fearful  import.  Alas  ! the  experiment  — 
a most  dangerous  one  — proved  fatal  to  the  gener- 
ous hopes  of  Mrs.  S . She  failed  to  save  the 

son  of  her  friend,  and  lost  her  own,  who  soon  be- 
came corrupt  and  debased  even  to  a worse  exter- 
nal degree  than  he  by  whom  he  had  been  tempted 
from  the  right  way. 

And  this  is  by  no  means  a thing  to  excite  sur- 
prise. An  opposite  result  would  have  been  a 
matter  of  greater  wonder.  Temptations  to  evil 
are  far  more  powerful  than  allurements  to  good, 
because  the  former  appeal  to  inherent  evil  ten- 
dencies, while  the  latter  present  but  few  attrac- 
tions to  one  who  has  debased  himself  by  indul- 
gence in  sensual  appetites  and  passions.  He  sees 
nothing  delightful  in  restraining  these,  because  in 


132 


ADVICE  TO  YOUN<5  MEN. 


their  gratification  he  has  found  what  he  esteems 
the  highest  pleasure. 

From  this  may  be  seen  the  danger  of  an  inti- 
mate friendship  with  a man  of  bad  habits ; and 
scarcely  less  dangerous  is  an  association  with  one 
of  bad  principles.  In  fact,  we  do  not  believe  that 
an  intimate  friendship  can  be  formed  with  a man 
whose  principles  are  bad,  without  great  injury. 
A young  man,  who  has  a respect  for  religion  and 
morality,  cannot  long  hear  them  ridiculed  and 
assailed  by  a friend  in  whose  society  he  takes 
pleasure,  without  gradually  losing  his  respect  for 
both ; nor  can  he  hear,  from  the  same  source,  con- 
stant allusions  made  to  the  pleasures  of  a vicious 
indulgence  of  the  natural  appetites  and  propen- 
sities, without  being  himself  tempted  into  similar 
indulgence. 

F riendships  are  desirable  and  useful ; and  in- 
timate friendships,  where  there  is  a similarity  of 
affection  for  what  is  good  and  true,  are  not  only 
delightful  to  those  who  enjoy  them,  but  elevating, 
and  strengthening  to  the  mind.  In  true  friend- 
ship, each  seeks  to  benefit  and  give  the  other 
pleasure ; and  the  effect  of  this  is  to  lead  a man 
out  of  himself,  and  thus  to  love  himself  less.  But 
an  evil-disposed  man,  who  is  and  must  be  a selfish 
man,  cannot  reciprocate  true  friendship ; and  the 
reason  is,  because  he  cannot  love  any  thing  out 


irjTIMAVE  FRIENDSHIPS 


133 


of  himself.  He  may  affect  the  virtue  of  friend- 
ship, because  he  receives  pleasuie  or  benefit  from 
the  individual  with  whom  he  seeks  to  associate; 
but  there  is  not,  and  cannot  be,  any  reciprocation 
of  true  friendship  in  his  heart,  for  he  is  incapable 
of  it ; and  whenever  he  finds  another  more  qual- 
ified to  gratify  his  selfish  feelings,  he  will  desert 
the  friend  for  whom  he  has  professed  so  much 
disinterested  regard. 

Considering  the  danger  that'  appertains  to  an 
association  with  a man  of  bad  principles  and 
habits,  and  also  bearing  in  mind  the  fact  that  a 
selfish  man  cannot  love  any  thing  out  of  himself, 
every  young  man  who  sincerely  desires  to  elevate 
himself  morally,  as  well  as  intellectually  and  tem- 
porally, will  examine  well  into  the  character  of 
all  with  whom  he  is  on  terms  of  intimacy ; and 
if  in  his  best  friend,  so  esteemed,  he  find  a 
blunted  moral  sense,  let  him  separate  himself  from 
that  friend  as  quickly  as  it  is  possible  for  him  to 
do  it,  and  the  more  especially  if  he  possess  a de- 
cided character,  and  seek  to  lead  others  rather 
than  to  be  led  and  influenced  himself.  If,  on  the 
contrary,  that  friend  is  rather  disposed  to  look 
up  to  and  be  influenced  by  him,  his  plain  duty  is 
to  seek  first  to  correct  false  ideas,  and  to  restore 
to  quicker  perceotions  the  moral  powers ; but  if  he 
fail  in  this, — if  evil  is  still  preferred  ;ogood,  — let 


134 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


the  separation  take  place,  no  matter  at  what  cost 
of  feeling.  It  is  the  one  only  safe  course  of 
action;  for  in  such  a friendship  there  is  always 
danger. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

HOME. 

Society  is  marked  by  greater  and  smaller 
divisions,  as  into  nations,  communities,  and 
families.  A man  is  a member  of  the  common- 
wealth, a smaller  community,  as  a hamlet  or  city, 
and  his  family  at  the  same  time ; and  the  more 
perfectly  all  his  duties  to  his  family  are  dis- 
charged, the  more  fully  does  he  discharge  his 
duties  to  the  community  and  the  nation ; for  a 
good  member  of  a family  cannot  be  a bad  mem- 
ber of  the  commonwealth,  for  he  that  is  faithful 
in  what  is  least  will  also  be  faithful  in  what  is 
greater.  Indeed,  the  more  perfectly  a man  fulfils 
all  his  domestic  duties,  the  more  perfectly,  in  that 
very  act,  has  he  discharged  his  duty  to  the  whole; 
for  the  whole  is  made  up  of  parts,  and  its  health 
depends  entirely  upon  the  health  of  the  various 
parts.  There  are,  of  course,  general  as  well  as 


HOME 


135 


specific  duties ; but  the  more  conscientious  a man 
is  in  the  discharge  of  specific  duties,  the  more 
ready  will  he  be  to  perform  those  that  are  gen- 
eral; and  we  believe  that  the  converse  of  this 
will  be  found  equally  true,  and  that  those  who 
have  least  regard  for  home  — who  have;  indeed, 
no  home,  no  domestic  circle  — are  the  worst 
citizens.  * This  they  may  not  be,  apparently ; they 
may  not  break  the  laws,  nor  do  any  thing  to 
call  down  upon  them  censure  from  the  community, 
and  yet,  in  the  secret  and  almost  unconscious 
dissemination  of  demoralizing  principles,  may  be 
doing  a work  far  more  destructive  of  the  public 
good  than  if  they  had  committed  a robbery. 

We  always  feel  pain  when  we  hear  a young 
man  speak  lightly  of  home,  and  talk  carelessly, 
or  it  may  be  with  sportive  ridicule,  of  the  “ old 
man,”  and  the  “old  woman,”  as  if  they  were  of 
but  little  consequence.  We  mark  it  as  a bad 
indication,  and  feel  that  the  feet  of  that  young 
man  are  treading  upon  dangerous  ground.  His 
home  education  may  not  have  been  of  the  best 
kind,  nor  may  home  influences  have  reached  his 
higher  and  better  feelings ; but  he  is  at  least  old 
enough  now  to  understand  the  causes,  and  to  seek 
rather  to  bring  into  his  home  all  that  it  needs  to 
render  it  more  attractive,  than  to  estrange  him- 
self from  it,  and  expose  its  defects. 


136 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


Instances  of  this  kind  are  not  of  very  frequent 
occurrence.  Home  has  its  charms  for  nearly  all, 
and  the  very  name  comes  with  a blessing  to  the 
spirit.  This,  however,  is  more  the  case  with 
those  who  have  been  separated  from  it,  than  it  is 
with  those  who  yet  remain  in  the  old' homestead, 
with  parents,  brothers,  and  sisters,  as  their  friends 
and  companions. 

The  earnest  love  of  home,  felt  by  nearly  all 
who  have  been  compelled  to  leave  that  pleasant 
place,  is  a feeling  that  should  be  tenderly  cher- 
ished : and  this  love  should  be  kept  alive  by 
associations  that  have  in  them  as  perfect  a re- 
semblance of  home  as  it  is  possible  to  obtain.  It 
is  for  this  reason  that  it  is  bad  for  a young  man 
to  board  in  a large  hotel,  where  there  is  nothing 
in  which  there  is  even  an  image  of  the  home 
circle.  Each  has  his  separate  chamber;  but  that 
is  not  home  : all  meet  together  at  the  common 
table  ; but  there  is  no  home  feeling  there,  with 
its  many  sweet  reciprocations.  The  meal  com- 
pleted, all  separate,  each  to  his  individual  pur- 
suit or  pleasure.  There  is  a parlor,  it  is  true ; 
but  there  are  no  family  gatherings  there.  One 
and  another  sit  there,  as  inclination  prompts ; but 
each  sits  alone,  busy  with  his  own  thoughts.  All 
this  is  a poor  substitute  for  home.  And  yet  it 
offers  its  attractions  to  some.  A young  man  ia 


HOME. 


137 


a hotel  has  more  freedom  than  in  a family  or 
private  boarding-house.  He  comes  in  and  goes 
out  unobserved;  there  is  no  one  to  say  to  him, 
“why?”  or  “ wherefore?”  But  this  is  a danger- 
ous freedom,  and  one  which  no  young  man  should 
desire. 

But  mere  negative  evils,  so  to  speak,  are  not 
the  worst  that  beset  a young  man  who  unwisely 
chooses  a public  hotel  as  a place  for  boarding. 
He  is  much  more  exposed  to  temptations  there 
than  in  a private  boarding-house  or  at  home. 
Men  of  licentious  habits,  in  most  cases,  select 
hotels  as  boarding-places;  and  such  rarely  scruple 
to  offer  to  the  ardent  minds  of  young  men,  with 
whom  they  happen  to  fall  in  company,  those 
allurements  that  are  most  likely  to  lead  them  away 
from  virtue.  And,  besides  this,  there  being  no 
evening  home-circle  in  a hotel,  a young  man  who 
is  not  engaged  earnestly  in  some  pursuit  that 
occupies  his  hours  of  leisure  from  business,  has 
nothing  to  keep  him  there,  but  is  forced  to  seek 
for  something  to  interest  his  mind  elsewhere,  and 
is,  in  consequence,  more  open  to  temptation. 

Home  is  man’s  true  place.  Every  man  should 
have  a home.  Here  his  first  duties  lie,  and  here 
he  finds  the  strength  by  which  he  is  able  suc- 
cessfully to  combat  in  life’s  temptations.  Happy 
is  that  young  man  who  is  still  blessed  with  a 


138 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


home, — who  has  his  mother’s  counsel  and  the 
pure  love  of 'sisters  to  strengthen  and  cheer  him 
amid  life’s  opening  combats. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

PARENTS 

Although  the  attainment  of  mature  age  takes 
away  the  obligation  of  obedience  to  parents,  as 
well  as  the  right  of  dependence  upon  them,  it 
should  lessen  in  no  way  a young  man’s  deference, 
respect,  or  affection.  For  twenty-one  years,  or 
from  the  earliest  period  of  infancy,  through  child- 
hood and  youth,  up  to  mature  age,  his  parents 
have  felt,  and  thought,  and  labored  for  him. 
They  have  watched  over  his  pillow,  anxiously,  in 
sickness ; they  have,  with  the  most  unselfish  love, 
earnestly  sought  his  good  in  every  thing,  even  to 
the  extent  of  much  self-denial ; and  can  he  now 
offer  them  less  than  deference,  respect,  and  affec- 
tion? No  : surely  no  young  man  will  withhold 
this. 

Let  us  show  you  a picture.  Do  you  see  that 
feeb.  e infant  asleep  on  its  mother’s  bosom  ? Ho\t 


PARENTS. 


139 


nelpless  it  lies!  How  dependent  it  is  upon  others 
for  every  thing  ! The  neglect  of  a moment  might 
cause  some  fatal  injury  to  a being  so  entirely 
powerless.  But  that  mother’s  love  neither  slum- 
bers nor  sleeps.  It  is  ever  around  the  fragile 
creature  committed  to  her  care,  and  she  is  ready 
to  guard  its  life  with  her  own.  You  once  lay 
thus  in  your  mother’s  arms,  and  she  nourished 
your  helpless  infancy  thus  at  her  bosom.  She 
watched  over  you,  loved  you,  protected  and  de- 
fended you;  and  all  was  from  love, — deep, 
pure,  fervent  love,  — the  first  love,  and  the  most 
unselfish  love  that  ever  has  or  ever  will  bless  you 
in  this  life,  for  it  asked  for  and  expected  no  re- 
turn. A mother’s  love  ! — it  is  the  most  perfect 
reflection  of  the  love  of  God  ever  thrown  back 
from  the  mirror  of  a human  heart. 

Here  is  another  picture.  A mother  sits  in 
grief,  and  her  boy,  now  no  longer  an  infant, 
stands  in  sullen  disobedience  by  her  side.  She 
has  striven  to  correct  his  faults  for  his  own  good, 
and  in  love  reproved  him  ; but  he  would  not  re- 
gard her  admonitions.  Again  and  again  she 
has  sought,  by  gentle  urgings,  to  direct  him  to 
good ; but  all  has  been  in  vain,  and  she  now  re- 
sorts to  punishment,  that  is  far  more  painful  to 
her  than  to  her  child.  The  scene  is  changed. 
See  where  she  sits  now,  alone,  bitterly  weeping. 


140 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


There  is  an  image  in  her  mind,  and  bit  one, 
that  obscures  all  the  rest;  it  is  the  image  of  her 
suffering  child  — suffering  by  her  hand  ! Her 
breast  labors  heavily,  her  heart  is  oppressed  — she 
feels  deep  anguish  of  spirit.  But  she  has  done 
her  duty,  painful  though  it  has  been,  and  that 
sustains  her.  You  were  once  a boy  like  that; 
and  thus  your  own  mother  has  grieved  over  your 
disobedience,  and  felt  the  same  bitterness  of 
spirit.  And  love  for  you  was  the  cause.  Can 
you  ever  forget  this? 

Do  you  see  that  darkened  chamber?  By  the 
bed  of  sickness  sits  a pale  watcher,  and  there  are 
tears  upon  her  cheek.  Day  and  night,  for  nearly 
a week,  has  she  sat  by  the  bed,  or  moved  with 
noiseless  feet  about  the  room.  She  has  not  taken 
off  her  garments  during  the  time;  nor  has  she 
joined  the  family  at  their  regular  meals.  Who  is 
the  object  of  all  this  deep  solicitude?  It  is  her 
child.  The  hand  of  sickness  is  upon  him,  and 
he  has  drawn  near  to  the  gates  of  death.  In  her 
solicitude,  she  forgets  even  herself.  She  has  but 
one  thought,  and  that  is  for  her  offspring.  Her 
love,  her  care,  her  anxious  hopes  are  at  length 
rewarded.  The  destroyer  passes  by,  and  leaves 
her  her  child.  Thus  has  your  mother  watched, 
day  by  day  and  night  by  night,  beside  your  couch 
of  sickness.  Never  forget  this,  young  man. 


PARENTS. 


141 


Fjrget  every  other  obligation,  Dut  never  forget 
how  much  you  owe  your  mother  ! You  can  never 
know  a thousandth  part  of  what  she  has  endured 
for  your  sake ; and  now,  in  her  old  age,  all  she 
asks  is,  that  you  will  love  her  — not  with  the 
love  she  still  bears  to  you ; she  does  not  expect 
that  — and  care  for  her,  that  life’s  sunshine  may 
still  come  through  the  windows  and  over  the 
threshold  of  her  dwelling. 

And  with  no  less  of  respect  and  affection 
should  a young  man  think  of  his  father.  Not 
until  his  own  life-trials  come  on  will  he  fully  un- 
derstand how  much  he  owes  his  father.  It  is  no 
light  task  which  a man  takes  upon  himself — that 
of  sustaining,  by  his  single  efforts,  a whole  family, 
and  sustaining  them  in  comfort,  and  perhaps  in 
luxury.  You  have  an  education  that  enables  you 
to  take  a respectable  position  in  society;  you 
have  a groundwork  of  good  principles;  habits 
of  industry;  in  fact,  all  that  a young  man  need 
ask  for  in  order  that  he  may  rise  in  the  world  ; 
and  for  these  you  are  indebted  to  your  father. 
To  give  you  such  advantages,  cost  him  labor, 
self-denial,  and  much  anxious  thought.  Many 
times,  during  the  struggle  to  sustain  his  family, 
has  he  been  pressed  down  with  worldly  difficul- 
ties, and  almost  ready  to  despair.  He  has  seen 
his  last  dollar,  it  may  be,  leave  his  hand,  withou 


142 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


knowing  certainly  where  the  next  was  to  :ome 
from.  But  still,  his  love  for  his  children  has 
urged  him  on,  and  by  new  and  more  vigorous 
efforts  he  hras  overcome  the  difficulties  by  which 
he  was  surrounded. 

A young  man  should  think  often  of  these 
things,  and  let  them  influence  his  conduct  to  his 
parents.  There  will  come  a time  in  life  when 
such  thoughts  will  force  themselves  upon  him  ; 
but  these  thoughts  may  come  too  late. 

Towards  parents  the  deportment  should  always 
be  deferential  and  kind.  A young  man,  who 
properly  reflects  upon  the  new  relation  now  exist- 
ing between  them  and  himself,  will  naturally 
change  his  manner  of  address,  and  be  far  more 
guarded  than  he  was  before  he  arrived  of  age, 
lest  he  say  or  do  any  thing  that  might  cause  them 
to  feel  that  he  now  considered  himself  beyond 
their  control.  When  they  advise,  he  should  con- 
sider well  what  they  say;  and,  if  compelled  to 
differ  from  them,  he  should  carefully  explain  the 
reason,  and  show  truly  his  regret  at  not  being 
able  to  act  from  their  judgment  of  the  matter. 
As  a general  thing,  however,  he  will  find  theii 
advice  to  be  Detter  than  the  counsels  of  his 
own  scarcely-fledged  reason,  and  he  will  do  well 
seriously  to  deliberate  upon  it,  before  taking  his 


own  course 


PARENTS. 


143 


Above  all,  let  no  unkind  word  ever  pass  youi 
lips.  Nothing  stings  so,  nothing  so  deep  ly  wounds 
the  heart  of  a parent,  as  harsh  words  from  his 
children  who  have  grown  up  and  become  men 
and  women.  Almost  as  bad  as  this  is  neglect. 
The  older  your  father  and  mother  gruw,  the  nar- 
rower becomes  the  sphere  of  their  hopes  and 
wishes,  until,  at  length,  all  thought  and  all  affec- 
tion are  centred  in  their  children.  But  while 
this  is  going  on,  the  children’s  minds  are  becom- 
ing more  and  more  absorbed  in  the  cares,  duties, 
and  new  affections  of  life,  until  their  parents  are 
almost  forgotten.  Forewarned  of  this  tendency, 
let  every  one  strive  against  it,  lest  he  wound  by 
neglect,  either  seeming  or  real,  a heart  that  has 
loved  him  from  life’s  earliest  dawn  up  to  the 
present  moment. 

But  not  alone  in  deference,  respect,  and  marks 
of  affection,  lie  the  limits  of  a young  man’s  duties 
to  his  parents.  He  should  endeavor  to  take  up 
and  bear  for  them,  if  too  heavy  for  their  declin- 
ing strength,  some  of  the  burdens  that  oppress 
them.  He  should  particularly  consider  his  father, 
and  see  if  the  entire  support  of  the  family  that 
yet  remains  upon  his  hands  does  not  tax  his 
efforts  too  far;  and,  if  such  be  the  case,  he  should 
deny  himself  almost  any  thing,  in  order  to  render 
some  aid.  For  years,  he  has  been  receiving  all 


144 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


that  he  required,  and  it  is  now  but  fair  u at  he 
should  begin  to  make  some  return. 

How  often  do  we  see  two  or  three  sons,  all  in 
the  receipt  of  good  salaries,  spending  their  money 
in  self-indulgence,  while  their  father  is  toiling  on 
for  his  younger  children,  broken  in  health,  per- 
haps disappointed  in  his  worldly  prospects,  and 
almost  despairing  in  regard  to  the  final  result  of 
all  his  efforts ! They  come  and  go,  and  never 
think  that  any  thing  is  due  from  them.  It  does 
not  occur  to  them,  that.,  if  each  were  to  deny 
himself  the  gratification  of  his  desires  to  the 
extent  of  one  hundred  dollars  a year,  and  the 
aggregate  amount  were  placed  in  their  father’s 
hands  to  aid  in  supporting  the  family,  it  would 
take  a mountain  of  care  from  his  shoulders. 
Why  is  it  that  so  many  young  men  forget  their 
duty  in  this  important  matter  1 One  would  think 
that  no  prompter  was  required  here  to  remind 
them  of  their  part.  But  it  is  not  so.  On  the 
contrary,  it  is  a thing  of  such  rare  occurrence  for 
a son  to  practise  self-denial  for  the  sake  of  his 
parents,  that,  wherever  it  is  seen,  it  forms  the 
subject  of  remark. 

We  often  see  parents  who  have  enjoyed  but 
few  advantages  themselves,  and  who,  in  conse- 
quence, are  compelled  to  occupy  lower  and  more 
'aborious  positions  in  the  world,  denying  them* 


PARENTS. 


H5 


selves  many  comforts  and  all  the  luxuries  of  life, 
in  order  to  give  their  children  die  very  best 
education  possible  for  them  to  provide.  We  see 
these  children  growing  up,  and  too  often  the  first 
return  they  make  is  in  the  form  of  invidious  com- 
parisons between  themselves  and  the  very  parents 
to  whom  they  owe  almost  every  thing!  In  a lit- 
tle while,  they  step  into  the  world  as  men,  and, 
becoming  absorbed  in  its  pursuits  from  various 
selfish  ends,  seem  to  forget  entirely  that  their 
parents  are  still  toiling  on,  enfeebled  by  years, 
and  over  exertion  for  their  sakes,  and  with  the 
very  sweat  of  their  time-worn  brows  digging  out 
from  the  hard  earth,  so  to  speak,  the  scanty  food 
and  raiment  required  to  sustain  nature.  Ah  ! but 
this  is  a melancholy  sight.  Could  any  thing  tell 
the  sad  tale  of  man’s  declension  from  good  so 
eloquently  as  this  ? 

It  is  plainly  the  duty  of  every  young  man, 
whose  parents  are  poor  and  compelled  to  labor 
beyond  their  strength,  to  aid  them  to  the  extent 
of  his  ability.  They  have  borne  the  burden  for 
him  through  many  years.  From  their  toil  and 
self-denial  he  now  has  the  means  of  rising  higher 
in  the  world  than  they  had  the  ability  ever  tc 
rise ; but  he  is  unjust  and  ungrateful,  if,  in  his 
eager  efforts  to  advance  too  rapidly,  he  forget  and 
neglect  them.  Nothing  can  excuse  conduct  so 

unnatural,  so  cruel. 

10 


146 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN 


CHAPTER  XV. 

SISTERS. 

If  you  have  younger  sisters,  who  are  just  en- 
tering society,  all  your  interest  should  be  awak- 
ened for  them.  You  cannot  but  have  seen  some 
little  below  the  surface,  and  already  made  the 
discovery,  that  too  few  of  the  young  men  who 
move  about  in  the  various  social  circles  to  which 
you  have  admission,  are  fit  associates  for  a pure- 
minded  woman.  Their  exterior,  it  is  true,  is  very 
fair ; they  si-ng  well,  they  dance  well,  their  persons 
are  elegant,  and  their  manners  attractive ; but  you 
have  met  them  when  they  felt  none  of  the  restraints 
of  female  society,  and  seen  them  unmask  their 
real  characters.  You  can  remember  the  ribald 
jest,  the  obscene  allusion,  the  sneer  at  virtue,  the 
unblushing  acknowledgment  of  licentiousness. 
You  have  heard  them  speak  of  this  sweet  girl, 
and  that  pure-minded  woman,  in  terms  that 
would  have  roused  your  deepest  indignation,  had 
your  own  sister  been  the  subject  of  allusion. 

You  may  know  all  these  things,  but  your  inno- 
cent sisters  at  home  cannot  know  them,  nor  see  rea* 


SISTERS. 


147 


son  for  shunning  the  society  of  those  whose  real 
characters,  if  revealed,  would  cause  them  to  turn 
away  in  disgust  and  horror.  From  the  dangers 
of  an  acquaintanceship  with  such  young  men  it 
is  your  duty  to  guard  your  sisters ; and  you  must 
do  this  more  by  warding  off  the  evil  than  by 
warnings  against  it.  In  order  to  this,  you  should 
make  it  a point  of  duty  always  to  go  with 
your  sisters  into  company,  and  to  be  their  com- 
panion, if  possible,  on  all  public  occasions.  By 
so  doing,  you  can  prevent  the  introduction  of 
men  whose  principles  are  bad ; or,  if  such  intro- 
ductions are  forced  upon  them  in  spite  of  you, 
can  throw  in  a timely  word  of  caution.  This  lat- 
ter it  may  be  too  late  to  do  after  an  acquaint- 
anceship is  formed  with  a man  whose  character 
is  detestable  in  your  eyes,  provided  he  have  a 
fair  exterior.  Your  sister  will  hardly  be  made 
to  believe  that  one  who  is  so  attractive  in  all  re- 
spects, and  who  can  converse  of  virtue  and  honor 
so  eloquently,  can  possibly  have  an  impure  or 
vicious  mind.  She  will  think  you  prejudiced. 
The  great  thing  is  to  guard,  by  every  means  in 
your  power,  these  innocent  ones  from  the  pol- 
luting presence  of  a bad  man.  You  cannot  tell 
how  soon  he  may  win  the  affections  of  the  most 
innocent,  confiding,  and  loving  of  them  all,  and 
draw  her  off  from  virtue.  And  even  if  his  de- 


148 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN 


signs  be  honorable,  if  he  win  her  but  to  wed  her 
her  lot  will  be  by  no  means  an  enviable  one: 
he  cannot  make  her  happy ; for  happy  no  pure- 
minded  woman  ever  has  been,  or  ever  can  be 
made  by  a corrupt,  evil-minded,  and  selfish  man. 

You  are  a brother;  your  position  is  one  ol 
great  responsibility ; let  this  be  ever  before  your 
mind.  On  your  faithfulness  to  your  duty  may 
depend  a lifetime  of  happiness  or  misery  for 
those  who  are,  or  ought  to  be,  very  dear  to  you. 
But  not  only  should  you  seek  to  guard  them  from 
the  danger  just  alluded  to,  — your  affection  for 
them  should  lead  you  to  enter  into  their  pleasures 
as  far  as  in  your  power  to  do  so ; to  give  interest 
and  variety  to  the  home  circle ; to  afford  them,  at 
all  times,  the  assistance  of  your  judgment  in  mat- 
ters of  trivial  as  well  as  grave  importance.  By 
this,  you  will  gain  their  confidence  and  acquire 
an  influence  over  them  that  may,  at  some  later 
period,  enable  you  to  serve  them  in  a moment  of 
impending  danger. 

We  very  often  — indeed,  far  too  often  — see 
young  men  with  sisters,  who  appear  to  be  entirely 
indifferent  in  regard  to  them.  They  rarely  visit 
together ; their  associates,  male  and  female,  are 
strangers  to  each  other ; they  appear  to  have  no 
common  interests.  This  state  of  things  is  the 
fault,  nine  times  in  ten,  of  the  young  men.  It  is 


SISTERS. 


149 


ihe  result  of  their  neglect  and  indifference. 
There  are  very  few  sisters  who  do  not  love 
with  a most  tender  and  unselfish  regard  their 
brothers,  especially  their  elder  brothers,  and  who 
would  not  feel  happier  in  being  their  companions, 
than  in  the  companionship  of  almost  any  one. 
Notwithstanding  all  this  neglect  and  indifference, 
how  willingly  is  every  little  office  performed  that 
adds  to  the  brother’s  comfort ! How  much  care 
is  there  for  him,  who  gives  back  so  little  in  re- 
turn ! The  sister’s  love  is  as  unselfish  as  it  is 
unostentatious.  It  is  shown  in  acts,  not  in  pro- 
fessions. How  can  any  young  man  be  indifferent 
to  such  love?  How  can  he  fail  in  its  full  and 
free  reciprocation  ? 

A regard  for  himself,  as  well  as  for  his  sisters, 
should  lead  a young  man  to  be  much  with  them. 
Their  influence  in  softening,  polishing,  and  re- 
fining his  character  will  be  very  great.  They 
have  perceptions  of  the  propriety  and  fitness  of 
things  far  quicker  than  he  has ; and  this  he  will 
soon  see  if  he  observe  their  remarks  upon  the 
persons  with  whom  they  come  in  contact,  and  the 
circumstances  that  transpire  around  them.  While 
he  is  reasoning  on  the  subject,  and  balancing 
many  things  in  his  mind  before  coming  to  a satis- 
factory conclusion,  they,  by  a kind  of  intuition, 
have  settled  the  whole  matter,  and  settled  it,  he 


150 


ADVTCE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


will  find,  truly.  In  the  graver  things  of  life,  a 
man’s  judgment  is  more  to  be  relied  upon  than 
a woman  s,  because  here  a regular  course  of 
reasoning  from  premises  laid  down  is  required, 
and  this  a man  is  much  more  able  to  do  than  a 
woman ; but  in  matters  of  taste  and  propriety, 
and  in  the  quick  appreciation  of  character,  a 
woman’s  perceptions  are  worth  far  more  than  a 
man’s  judgment.  And  in  the  more  weighty  and 
serious  matters  of  life,  a man  will  always  find 
that  he  will  receive  aid,  in  coming  to  a nice  de- 
cision, from  a wife  or  sister  who  loves  him,  if 
he  will  only  carefully  lay  the  whole  subject  before 
her,  with  the  reasons  that  appeal  to  his  judgment, 
and  be  guided  in  some  measure  by  her  percep- 
tions of  what  is  right.  This  is  because  man  is  in 
the  province  of  the  understanding,  which  acts  by 
thought,  and  woman  in  the  province  of  the  affec- 
tions, which  act  by  perceptions;  not  that  a man 
does  not  have  perceptions  and  a woman  reason, 
but  the  leading  characteristic  difference  between 
the  sexes  is  as  stated,  and  each  comes  to  conclu- 
sions mainly  by  either  the  one  or  the  other  of 
these  two  modes.  This  position,  which  we  be- 
lieve to  be  the  true  one  in  regard  to  the  differ- 
ence between  the  sexes,  demonstrates  the  great 
use  of  female  society,  especially  the  society  of 
those  who  feel  some  interest  in  and  affection  for 


CONDUCT  AMONG  MEN. 


151 


us.  In  such  society,  there  is  a reciprocation  of 
benefits  that  is  nearly,  if  not  quite,  equal.  And  no 
where  can  this  reciprocation  be  of  greater  utility 
than  among  brothers  and  sisters,  just  entering 
upon  life,  with  all  their  knowledge  of  human 
character  and  human  life  to  gain. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

CONDUCT  AMONG  MEN. 

Thrown,  of  necessity,  among  men  of  all  char- 
acters, habits,  and  professions,  a young  man  will 
often  find  himself  in  circumstances  that  require 
him  to  act  without  his  being  able  to  see  clearly, 
at  first,  how  he  should  act.  He  will  also  find 
himself  so  situated  at  times,  that,  do  as  he  may, 
offence  will  be  given.  All  that  is  required,  in 
cases  like  these,  is  to  act  from  honorable  princi- 
ples ; that  is,  to  regard  truth,  right,  and  justice. 
Mere  personal  considerations,  as  how  this  one 
or  that  one  may  feel,  think,  or  act,  ought  not  to 
be  regarded,  when  truth,  right,  or  justice,  is  con- 
cerned Nor  should  personal  consequences  be 
taken  nto  the  account,  where  a principle  of  in- 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


152 


tegrity  is  involved.  Let  every  man  do  riglu.  ac* 
cording  to  the  honest  dictates  of  his  reason. 
he  has  nothing  to  fear. 

It  should  be  settled  as  a principle  in  the  mind 
of  every  one,  in  his  intercourse  among  men,  never, 
by  word,  act,  or  smile,  to  countenance  vice,  or 
encourage  that  despicable  spirit  that  finds  de- 
light in  seeking  out  and  magnifying  the  faults  of 
others.  If  a young  friend  indulge  in  obscene 
remarks,  do  not  laugh  at  him,  but  rather  seek  to 
change  the  subject  of  discourse.  If  he  take 
more  freedom,  and  speak  of  his  immoralities,  cen- 
sure them  as  wrong  without  a moment’s  flinch- 
ing from  your  duty,  and  do  it  with  a degree  of 
seriousness  that  will  make  him  feel  that  you  are 
in  earnest.  By  an  opposite  course,  you  will  en- 
courage vice ; but  by  this  you  may  help  a friend 
to  shun  evils,  that,  if  indulged  in,  will  debase  his 
mind  and  make  his  influence  in  society  a curse 
instead  of  a blessing. 

As  for  men  of  confirmed  bad  habits  and  prin- 
ciples, make  it  a point  to  have  no  more  intimate 
intercourse  with  them  than  what  comes  in  the 
way  of  business.  If  you  do,  you  are  not  only  in 
some  danger  yourself,  but  you  endorse  them  as 
virtuous  men,  thus  approving  their  characters  to 
those  who  do  not  know  them,  and  who  may  be 
led  astray  by  their  influence. 


CONDUCT  AMONG  MEN. 


153 


Let  every  young  man,  in  stepping  out  upon 
the  world’s  arena,  consider  we  1 the  principles 
upon  which  he  ought  to  act  in  common  society. 
Let  him  look  to  what  is  right  more  than  to  what 
is  expedient.  Let  him  try  to  forget  himself, 
when  called  upon  to  act,  in  a consideration  of 
what  is  due  to  others  on  the  abstract  principles  of 
justice.  He  need  not  fear  that  such  conduct  will 
be  ever  bringing  him  into  unpleasant  collision 
with  others,  — although  this  may  sometimes  be 
the  case,  — for  the  truth  of  his  character  will 
soon  be  seen,  felt,  and  appreciated.  The  good 
will  confide  in  his  integrity,  and  the  bad  will 
respect  him.  He  will  be  known  in  the  commu- 
nity as  an  honest  and  honorable  man,  and  this 
character  will  sustain  him  in  any  trial  he  may 
find  it  necessary  to  endure  for  the  sake  of  right. 

Deference  to  age,  superior  wisdom,  and  station 
in  society,  may  be  observed  without  a young 
man’s  violating  his  self-respect,  or  showing  any 
undue  regard  for  mere  conventional  forms.  The 
failure  to  do  so  arises  from  a false  notion  of  one’s 
own  importance.  Real  worth  is  modest,  and 
always  ready  to  defer  to  others ; in  fact,  often  too 
much  so,  in  society,  for  the  general  good,  while 
shallow  conceit  is  ever  thrusting  itself  rudely 
forward,  and  occupying  the  place  of  wiser  and 
better  men  There  should  always  be  respect 


154 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


and  deference  to  age  and  superior  wisdom,  for 
reasons  that  every  one  perceives  and  understands 
and  this  should  also  be  shown  to  those  who  oc 
cupy  elevated  stations  in  society,  as  represent- 
atives of  the  common  good.  The  deference 
ought  not  to  be  paid  to  the  person,  but  to  the 
officer.  The  office  is  one  established  for  the 
good  of  the  many,  and  whoever  fills  it  ought  to 
seek  the  common  good,  and  should  have  respect 
and  deference  because  he  does  so,  or  is  supposed 
to  do  so.  He  may  be  a bad  officer,  but  still  the 
office  is  good;  and  while  he  fills  it,  he  should 
have  respect  for  the  sake  of  the  office,  lest  that 
come  to  be  disregarded,  or  lightly  thought  of,  in 
the  community.  Of  course,  a mere  deference  to 
rank  or  station,  for  the  sake  of  being  noticed  by 
those  who  hold  elevated  positions,  and  thence 
being  thought  of  consequence,  or  for  the  pur- 
pose of  attaining  some  selfish  end,  is  wrong. 

A young  man,  when  he  first  enters  society, 
should  think  much,  observe  accurately,  and  say 
little.  By  this  means  he  will  learn  far  more  than 
if  he  were  forward  and  talkative ; and  when  he 
does  express  his  opinions,  they  will  have  their 
due  weight.  It  is  a mistake  which  very  many 
fall  into,  when  they  first  take  their  place  among 
men,  that  they  know  a great  deal  more  than  most 
oeople  whom  they  meet,  because  there  are  not 


CONDUCT  AMONG  MEN. 


155 


many  who  talk  freely,  or  think  it  necessary  to 
tell  all  they  know ; but  in  time  they  begin  to 
learn  that  the  most  of  their  knowledge  of  men 
and  things  was  only  in  the  memory,  while  those 
they  deemed  dull  or  superficial  had  lived  and  felt 
in  the  world,  until  their  lips  had  become  well 
nigh  sealed  in  silence.  A modest  deportment  is 
that  which  best  becomes  a young  man  when  in 
the  company  of  those  who  are  older  than  him- 
self. They  may  not  have  as  much  of  certain 
kinds  of  knowledge  as  he  has;  but  they  are  far 
more  learned  in  the  book  of  human  life,  and 
can  teach  him  many  a lesson  that  it  will  be  good 
for  him  to  learn.  How  often  does  the  forward- 
ness, confidence,  and  dogmatism  of  a young  man 
cause  a quiet  smile  to  rest  upon  the  lips  of  his 
seniors  ! It  is,  therefore,  wiser  for  a young  man 
to  think,  observe,  and  question,  but  to  make 
up  his  opinions  with  caution,  and  not  be  too  free 
about  expressing  them.  For  it  is  more  than 
probable,  that  a few  years  will  show  him  the 
fallacy  of  nearly  all  his  first  conclusions. 

One  of  the  first  things  which  a young  man 
will  notice  in  those  into  whose  society  he  is 
thrown,  will  be  a habit  of  detraction.  When 
allusion  is  made  to  an  absent  person,  some  censo- 
rious remark  will  follow ; or  there  may  possibly 
be  allega'  ions  made,  touching,  remotely,  his  in- 


150 


ADVICE  TO  Y DUNG  MEN. 


tegrity ; though  these  will,  in  general,  be  exceed- 
ingly  guarded,  yet  sufficiently  plain  to  create  a 
prejudice  in  any  honest  mind.  We  would  give 
a double  caution  on  this  subject,  — first,  not  to 
believe  much  over  half  of  what  may  be  alleged 
against  the  absent ; and  second,  to  be  exceeding- 
ly careful  not  to  repeat  any  thing  that  has  been 
said,  and  for  two  reasons  — lest  injustice  be  done 
to  an  innocent  person,  and  lest  your  remark 
should  reach  the  ear  of  the  party  traduced,  and 
you  be  called  upon  to  prove  the  allegations, 
which  you  might  find  it  very  difficult  to  do.  If 
possible,  never  be  a party  in  the  petty  mis- 
understandings that  are  of  too  frequent  occur- 
rence, growing  out  of  serious  or  unimportant 
charges  made  against  one  individual  by  another, 
from  malice,  or  a foolish  habit  of  repeating  every 
thing  that  is  said.  Some  persons  are  always  in- 
volved in  troubles  of  this  kind.  The  best  way  to 
avoid  them  is,  to  make  it  a rule  of  conduct  never 
to  say  any  thing  against  another  except  for  the 
purpose  of  guarding  those  who  are  likely  to  be 
injured  by  a corrupt  or  dishonest  person.  When- 
ever an  utterance  of  what  you  know  to  be  the 
truth,  will  do  this,  your  duty  is  a plain  one  ; you 
must  tell  the  truth,  and  be  willing  to  take  the 
consequences. 

If  a misunderstanding  occur  between  you  and 


CONDUCT  AMONG  MEN. 


157 


another,  seek  an  explanation  immediately.  Do 
not  stop  to  listen  to  the  plausible  suggestions  of 
pride,  but  go  at  once  to  the  party,  and  have  a 
clear  understanding  of  the  point  of  difference. 
In  nine  cases  in  ten,  you  will  find  that  no  real 
cause  for  the  difficulty  exists.  Either  he  or  you 
has  misconceived  the  other’s  words  or  actions; 
or  something  either  you  or  he  has  said  has  been 
repeated  with  offensive  additions.  This  is  al- 
ways a trouble  worth  taking.  Even  if  it  do  not 
result  in  settling  the  difficulty,  it  enables  you  to 
understand  exactly  the  cause  of  the  unhappy 
estrangement ; and  this  is  some  little  satisfaction. 

More  serious  consequences  than  a simple 
closing  of  friendly  intercourse  need  occur,  ex- 
cept in  very  extreme  cases.  But,  sometimes, 
it  will  happen  that  you  are  obliged  to  do  more 
than  merely  give  up  the  acquaintance  of  an 
individual  ; justice  to  others  may  require  the 
exposure  of  something  said  or  done  by  an  un- 
principled individual,  by  which  he  becomes  your 
enemy.  Such  a person  will,  as  a general  thing, 
seek  to  injure  you  in  all  possible  ways  by  false 
representations.  The  best  antidote  to  all  he 
may  say,  is  a blameless  life.  This  will  be  your 
best  justification  in  the  community.  The  charac- 
ter of  every  man  makes  a certain  impression,  and 
if  any  thing  not  in  accordance  with  this  impres- 


158 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


sion  be  said  against  him,  it  is  never  fully  belie  ved. 
Still,  any  one  will  suffer  more  or  less  in  the  good 
opinion  of  society,  if  an  evil-minded  person  in- 
dustriously circulate  false  accusations  against 
him ; and  proper  means  should  be  used  to  si- 
lence him,  if  his  charges  amount  to  dishonesty 
or  immoral  conduct.  This  may  sometimes  be 
done  by  demanding  an  interview  in  the  presence 
of  mutual  friends,  and  then  requiring  proof  of  his 
allegations,  or  a denial  of  them.  A common  tra- 
ducer  is  generally  exceedingly  tender  of  his  own 
reputation  ; while  he  calls  into  activity  a very 
whirlwind 'of  evil  accusations  against  others,  the 
first  breath  of  censure  that  falls  upon  his  own 
fair  fame  disturbs  him  to  the  very  centre.  Once 
convict  such  a person,  before  witnesses,  of  hav- 
ing made  false  accusations  against  you,  and  you 
not  only  strip  him  of  power  to  do  you  much 
injury  in  the  future,  but  make  him  exceedingly 
cautious  about  what  he  says  of  one  who  has  the 
nerve  and  decision  to  call  him  to  an  account  for 
what  his  malignant  spirit  may  cause  him  to  say. 

Pride  and  a hasty  temper  occasion  disagree- 
ments of  the  most  serious  character,  and  often 
bring  into  open  hostility  those  who  have  once 
been  the  warmest  friends.  No  immorality  of 
conduct,  no  departure  from  integrity,  no  wrong 
lies  at  the  foundation  of  the  unhappy  disagree- 


CONDUCT  AMONG  MEN. 


159 


ment.  An  insult  has  been  given ; but  whether 
intentional  or  unintentional,  it  is  often  hard  to 
make  out;  and  the  party  .really  insulted,  or  only 
imagining  himself  to  be  so,  has  flung  back  the 
outrage  into  the  other’s  face  with  maddening  vio- 
lence.  This  occurs  on  the  instant,  between  per- 
fect strangers  as  well  as  between  intimate  friends; 
and  too  often  the  final  result  is  an  appeal  to  dead- 
ly weapons.  Instead  of  the  parties  themselves 
meeting  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  pre- 
cisely the  feelings  and  intentions  of  each  other, 
and  learning  whether  an  insult  were  really  in- 
tended, the  insult  is  taken  for  granted,  and  mu- 
tual friends  are  called  in  to  obtain  formal  and 
specific  retractions  of  things  said  and  done,  or 
to  arrange  the  sad  and  disgraceful  preliminaries 
of  a duel.  These  friends  hold,  as  they  imagine, 
the  honor  of  their  respective  principals  in  pledge, 
and  each  requires  of  the  antagonist  party  greater 
concessions  and  acknowledgments  than  he  can 
feel  it  possible  for  him  to  make  under  such  cir- 
cumstances ; and  thus  the  breach  is  made  wider 
instead  of  being  healed,  as  it  would  be,  in  nine 
cases  in  ten,  if  one  or  the  other  of  the  parties 
themselves  had  sought  for  and  obtained  a per- 
sonal interview. 

We  remember  seeing  two  persons,  perfect 
strangers  to  each  other,  come  into  collision  from 


160 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


a supposed  insult,  where  it  was  clear  none  was 
intended.  It  occurred,  strangely  enough,  at  a 
lecture  given  to  young  men  on  their  right  con- 
duct in  life.  The  room  was  so  much  crowded 
that  all  could  not  find  seats,  and  near  the  door  quite 
a number  were  standing.  They  were  arranged 
against  and  near  the  wall,  leaving  a space  of  some 
yards  between  them  and  the  first  row  of  seats 
A young  man,  who  had  been  sitting  for  about  one 
half  of  the  time  occupied  by  the  lecture,  gener- 
ously arose,  and,  stepping  across  the  vacant  space 
to  where  another  young  man  was  standing,  of- 
fered him  his  seat.  In  doing  this,  the  eyes  of 
a number  were  necessarily  upon  him.  Instead 
of  promptly  accepting  the  offer  when  so  much 
trouble  had  been  taken,  the  individual  standing 
declined  doing  so,  and  did  it  in  a manner  that 
was  felt  to  be  particularly  offensive,  although  no 
offence  could  have  been  meant.  Be  that  as  it 
may,  the  young  man  retired  to  his  seat  in  anger 
and  mortification,  and,  instead  of  resting  satis- 
fied in  reflecting  that  what  he  had  done  was  a 
generous  offer  of  self-denial  for  the  sake  of  an- 
other, and  that  no  gentleman  could  wantonly  in- 
sult one  who  thus  acted  towards  him,  he  brooded 
over  what  had  occurred  during  the  whole  time 
the  lecture  continued,  and  finally  brought  himself 
to  the  conclusion  that  he  had  been  grossly  in 


CONDUCT  AMONG  MEN. 


161 


suited  in  public,  and  that  nothing  remained  for 
him  to  do,  but  to  demand  satisfaction.  Accord- 
ingly, the  moment  the  lecture  closed,  he  stepped 
hastily  up  to  the  young  man,  and,  with  intem- 
perate warmth,  in  the  midst  of  a crowd  of  both 
ladies  and  gentlemen,  abruptly  and  insultingly 
demanded  an  explanation  of  his  conduct.  Sur- 
prised, yet  indignant,  at  being  thus  rudely,  and, 
as  he  felt,  causelessly  assailed,  the  other  replied 
in  about  the  same  spirit  as  that  in  which  he  had 
been  addressed.  Blows  were  about  to  be  ex- 
changed, when  others  interfered.  Cards  were 
then  passed,  and  the  belligerents  parted  in  mutual 
anger.  As  the  parties  were  strangers  to  us,  we 
saw  no  more  of  them,  and  presume  that  no  ex- 
change of  shots  took  place  in  consequence,  as 
the  newspapers  at  the  time  did  not  chronicle  any 
such  event. 

In  this,  we  see  a fair  specimen  of  the  origin,  or 
what  might  be  appropriately  called  the  causeless 
cause,  of  duels.  It  is  no  more  than  probable  that 
the  mind  of  the  young  man,  who  was  standing  dur- 
ing the  lecture,  had  become  so  much  interested 
in  the  discourse  as  not  to  be  clearly  conscious  of 
what  he  did  when  his  attention  was  disturbed  by 
the  kind  offer  of  the  other  to  give  him  up  his 
seat ; and  it  is  not  at  all  improbable  that  he  saw, 
a moment  after  it  was  too  late,  that  he  had  acted 
11 


162 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


with  little  less  than  rudeness  to  a stranger,  and 
meditated  an  apology  as  soon  as  the  lecture 
closed.  But  all  these  better  impulses  were  de- 
stroyed by  a sudden  and  rude  assault,  for  which 
there  was  no  kind  of  justification. 

It  usually  happens  that  the  person  who  imagines 
himself  insulted,  makes  a reconciliation  difficult, 
if  not  almost  impossible,  by  offering  in  return  a 
real  insult,  and  then  insisting  upon  acknowledg- 
ments and  retractions  from  the  other,  while  he 
never  dreams  of  making  an  apology  for  his  own 
conduct. 

It  almost  always  happens,  in  matters  of  this 
kind,  that  both  parties  are  to  some  extent  to 
blame,  and  all  difficulty  may  at  once  be  arrested, 
if  either  party  will  reflect  carefully  upon  his  own 
conduct,  and  determine  to  make  an  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  thing  in  which  he  has  wronged  the 
other.  This  should  be  done  as  a matter  of 
simple  justice,  spite  of  all  the  inflammatory  sug- 
gestions of  false  pride.  Because  another  has 
wronged  you,  or  insulted  you,  does  that  justify 
your  wrongs  or  insults  ? You  imperiously  de- 
mand of  another  an  apology  for  what  he  has  done 
or  said,  and  yet  are  not  willing  to  offer  an  apology 
for  your  own  conduct.  First  do  what  you  require 
of  him,  and  depend  upon  it,  you  will  not  find  him 
backward  in  confession  of  error,  or  a readiness 


CONDUCT  AMONG  MEN. 


168 


to  throw  over  the  unhappy  past  the  mantle  of 
oblivion.  To  do  this  is  not  disgraceful,  but  hon- 
orable and  magnanimous.  It  is  a triumph  of 
reason  over  passion,  of  right  over  false  pride  and 
a morbid  self-esteem. 

If  it  should  happen  that  a misunderstanding 
takes  place  with  a young  friend  and  another,  and 
he  call  upon  you  to  confer  with  the  friend  of  the 
offending  or  offended  party  for  the  settlement  of 
the  difficulty,  do  not  hesitate  about  accepting  the 
office  of  mediator,  but,  in  doing  so,  let  it  be  with 
the  determination  to  heal,  not  widen  the  breach. 
Your  first  duty  will  be  to  hear  from  your  friend 
a full  statement  of  all  the  facts  in  the  case,  and 
then  get  from  the  friend  of  the  other  party  all 
that  he  has  to  allege  against  the  person  you 
represent.  Honestly,  conscientiously,  and  impar- 
tially weigh  all  the  circumstances,  without  any 
personal  bias  whatever ; and  if  you  are  satisfied 
that  your  friend  has  done  wrong,  tell  him  so,  and 
insist  upon  his  acknowledging  that  wrong  as  a 
most  imperative  duty.  This  he  may  do  without 
dishonor  : to  refuse  to  do  so  would  be  dishonor- 
able in  the  highest  degree,  for  it  would  be  a 
refusal  to  repair  a wrong,  which,  if  not  done, 
may  lead  on  to  the  most  direful  consequences. 
The  other  party  may  have  done  wrong,  and  be 
just  as  conscious  of  it ; but  pride  may  keep  back 


J64 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


its  confession.  The  acknowledgment  of  your 
friend  will  be  almost  sure,  if  made  in  the  right 
spirit,  to  bring  back  a fuller  and  more  hearty 
acknowledgment  of  wrong  from  the  opposite 
party,  and  then  the  work  of  reconciliation  will  be 
easy.  Truly  magnanimous  conduct  is  that  which 
involves  self-sacrifice  of  some  kind  for  the  good 
of  others.  Nothing  is  so  hard  to  sacrifice  as 
false  pride ; yet  the  conquest  is  always  a noble 
one,  for  it  is  made  for  the  good  of  others.  As  a 
third  party  to  any  unhappy  difference,  be  most 
careful  to  avoid  any  thing  calculated  to  inflame 
the  pride  of  your  friend ; lead  him  rather  to  re- 
flect more  upon  what  he  has  himself  said  and 
done,  than  upon  the  w’rongs  that  he  has  suffered 
from  the  other.  This  will  give  reason  a chance  to 
act,  and  help  him  to  see  what  it  is  his  duty  to  do, 
as  well  as  his  pleasure  to  require  of  another. 
The  great  barrier  that  interposes  itself  in  serious 
difficulties  of  this  kind,  is  the  disposition  man- 
ifested by  the  belligerent  parties  to  exact  conces- 
sions, but  to  make  none;  and  in  this  they  are  too 
often  encouraged  by  the  friends  who  have  h.\3U 
chosen  to  represent  them. 

A resort  to  deadly  weapons,  for  tne  purpose  of 
settling  a difficulty,  is  in  no  case  justifiable , the 
custom  being  founded  upon  false  pride  and  a 
false  idea  of  honor.  As  the  principal  in  a diffi 


CONDUCT  AMCNG  MEN. 


165 


culty,  your  duty  is  to  seek  by  all  right  means  to 
satisfy  the  individual  to  whom  you  have  given 
offence,  that  it  was  not  your  intention  to  insult 
him,  or  that  you  had  been  led  away  by  passion  to 
say  or  do  something  that  in  your  cooler  moments 
you  would  not  have  said  or  done ; the  supposi- 
tion is,  that  you , under  no  provocation,  would 
seek  redress  by  a resort  to  duelling.  If  this  will 
not  satisfy,  and  there  is  a clear  determination 
evinced  to  force  you  into  a deadly  conflict,  make 
a firm  resolution  to  refuse  to  accept  a chal- 
lenge, and  abide  by  that  resolution.  You  have 
no  more  right  to  take  the  life  of  another  than  to 
give  up  your  own. 

Most  men  who  fight  duels  are  urged  on  to  do 
so  as  much  by  the  fear  of  being  branded  with 
cowardice  as  from  inflamed  passions.  But  the 
truth  is,  it  is  cowardice,  and  not  courage,  that 
makes  them  fight.  They  are  afraid  of  the  unjust 
censure  of  the  world ; they  are  afraid  to  do  right, 
lest  it  be  called  wrong.  The  truly  brave  man  is 
ever  ready  to  suffer  martyrdom  for  the  sake  of 
trrith,  whether  he  be  burned  at  the  stake,  or  im- 
molated at  the  shrine  of  a hasty  and  false-judg- 
ing public. 

If  you  have  been  acting  for  your  friend,  in  the 
hope  of  reconciling  a difficulty,  and  all  your 
efforts  prove  unavailing  to  prevent  a murderous 


160 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


encounter,  refuse  to  stand  as  a second.  If  your 
friend  will  not  do  what  is  right  and  honorable  in 
endeavoring  to  reconcile  the  difficulty,  he  forfeits 
all  claim  upon  you  to  go  with  him  any  farther  m 
the  matter ; and  if  all  his  honorable  overtures 
and  acknowledgments  are  repulsed,  he  should 
have  courage  enough  to  refuse  to  accept  a chal- 
lenge to  fight.  If  he  have  not,  let  him  find  some 
one  less  careful  about  principles  than  you  are. 

A to  duelling  itself,  or  a resort  to  deadly 
weapons  for  the  purpose  of  settling  a difficulty,  a 
moment’s  cool  reflection  must  satisfy  any  one  that 
it  is  a most  absurd  practice,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
fatal  wrong  that  it  too  often  inflicts  upon  society. 
There  is  nothing  in  it  that  tends  to  ennoble  the 
human  mind,  but  rather  to  debase  it.  In  nothing 
that  appertains  to  the  duel  is  there  any  thing  of 
generous  regard  to  another’s  good  — of  noble 
self-sacrifice  — of  manly  effort  to  raise  the  com- 
mon standard  of  virtue ; but,  instead,  there  is  a 
narrow  and  blinding  regard  for  self,  and  a 
trampling  under  foot  of  the  noble  and  manly 
spirit  of  forgiveness.  Self,  and  only  self,  rules. 
And  what  is  gained  by  the  combat?  One  of  the 
parties  may  be  killed;  but  does  that  make  the 
other  a better  man  ? It  may  gratify  his  malig- 
nant spirit  of  revenge,  it  is  true ; but  that  makes 
him  more  the  child  of  hell  than  of  heaven  ; and 


CONDUCT  AMONG  MEN. 


167 


man’s  true  destiny  is  heaven,  and  his  right  employ- 
ment here  a preparation  for  this  high  estate. 

Society  has  claims  upon  every  man  which  he 
is  bound  to  meet.  His  life  is  not,  therefore,  his 
own  to  fling  away  at  pleasure.  To  do  so,  is  to 
act  unjustly ; and  will  this  make  a man  any  more 
honorable  ? 

From  such  considerations,  it  is  clear  that  a 
man  may  not  only  refuse  a challenge  to  mortal 
combat  without  disgrace,  but  it  is  also  clear  that 
to  accept  such  ;i  challenge  is  both  dishonorable 
and  disgraceful ; for  it  involves  a wrong  to  society, 
and  encourages  a practice  that  is  cruel,  and  there- 
fore of  hellish  origin. 

We  have  dwelt  upon  the  reprehensible  practice 
of  duelling,  because  it  is  an  evil  that  still  exists 
in  society,  and  because  every  high-spirited,  quick 
tempered  young  man  is  liable  to  get  himself  into 
difficulties  with  other  young  men  of  like  temper- 
ament. A quick  temper  is  an  hereditary  failing, 
and  this  may  excuse  a hasty  ebullition  of  passion, 
even  to  the  extent  of  insulting  a friend ; but 
reason  is  given  to  all  as  a guide  in  life,  and  this 
teaches  that  there  is  only  one  thing  to  do  in  such 
a case ; and  that  is,  to  repair  the  wrong  done,  no 
matter  at  how  great  a sacrifice  of  feeling  and 
pride.  This  is  every  man’s  p.ain  duty.  If 
another  offer  you  an  insult,  and  refuse  to  with- 


168 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


draw  it,  shooting  him  is  certainly  a singula? 
inode  of  redress.  The  feeling  that  could  prompt 
you  to  do  so,  could  be  nothing  less  than  revenge. 

Some  one  has  very  forcibly  said,  in  referring 
to  matters  of  this  kind,  “ A gentleman  will  not  in 
suit  me ; none  other  can.”  This  is  sensible  doc- 
trine; and  if  men  had  sufficient  firmness  to  act 
upon  it  in  all  cases,  there  would  be  no  duels. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

COURAGE. 

There  are  two  kinds  of  courage,  the  one 
mere  physical  or  brute  courage,  as  it  is  some- 
times called,  and  the  other  moral  courage. 
Again,  bravery  in  some  is  the  result  of  an  almost 
entire  unconsciousness  of  danger,  no  matter  how 
impending  it  may  be;  while  in  others  it  is  the 
result  of  a strong  moral  purpose  overcoming  a 
natural  timidity  and  fear  of  consequences.  We 
find  men  who  say  that  they  have  never  known 
fear,  and  men  whose  coward  hearts  shrink  a4 
the  very  thought  of  danger,  acting  with  equa,5 
bravery  under  certain  circumstances.  The  3ne 


COURAGE. 


169 


meets  the  encounter  with  scarcely  a thought  of 
consequences,  while  it  requires  aJl  the  efforts  of 
the  other  to  overcome  his  natural  dread  of  suf- 
fering and  death.  The  latter  is,  without  doubt, 
entitled  to  most  credit  for  bravery ; for  he  meets 
the  danger  with  a far  more  real  knowledge  of 
its  character  than  the  other. 

The  most  exalted  courage  is,  therefore,  the 
result  of  a high  moral  purpose,  and  this  is  the 
courage  that  every  man  should  have  : its  founda- 
tion lies  in  a determination  to  do  right , at  any 
sacrifice,  even  of  life  itself,  if  that  be  required, 
as  in  the  defence  of  one’s  country  when  it  is 
invaded.  It  will  often  require  as  much  courage 
to  act  right  under  certain  circumstances  as  to 
march  up  to  a cannon ; and  the  man  who  will 
compel  himself  to  face  the  world’s  opinions  and 
prejudices  in  doing  what  he  believes  to  be  right, 
will  not  shrink  from  his  duty  even  if  called 
upon  to  fight  for  his  country. 

Every  young  man  should  feel  cowardice  to 
be  a disgrace,  and  bravery  a virtue  that  he  is 
bound  to  practise.  True  bravery  has  no  occa- 
sion to  vaunt  itself,  for  it  does  not  seek,  like 
the  knights  of  old,  for  adventures.  It  is  a sleep- 
ing power  in  the  mind,  that  only  rouses  itself 
on  occasion  of  more  than  ordinary  moment , 
and  then  it  acts  calmly,  but  with  firmness  and 
decision. 


170 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


A man  who  properly  reflects  is  rarely  a cow. 
ard.  Some  are  more  inclined  to  shrink  from 
bodily  pain  than  others,  and  some  are  nervously 
sensitive  in  regard  to  the  opinions  of  the  world ; 
but  reflection  from  right  grounds  will  correct 
both  of  these  defects,  and  enable  a man  to  act 
with  bravery  under  all  circumstances. 

It  is  a thing  of  rare  occurrence  that  a man 
loses  his  life  at  a time  when  he  has  put  it  in 
jeopardy  in  order  to  save  the  life  of  another; 
and  yet  we  hear,  almost  every  day,  of  persons 
being  saved  from  almost  certain  death  by  the 
generous  self-devotion  of  others.  Of  course,  acts 
of  this  kind  should  not  be  done  with  a mere 
recklessness  that  has  in  it  no  hope  of  success. 
It  would  be  madness,  not  true  bravery,  for  a 
man  who  could  not  swim  to  throw  himself  into 
the  sea  in  order  to  save  a person  who  was  drown- 
ing, or  to  jump  into  a well  filled  with  noxious 
gas  in  the  hope  of  lifting  therefrom  one  who 
was  on  the  point  of  perishing  from  its  poison- 
ous influence.  A truly  brave  man  looks  at  the 
means  as  well  as  the  end,  and  will  not  risk  his 
life  unless  there  be  a fair  chance  that  in  doing 
so  he  will  be  able  to  save  the  life  of  another. 
Around  all  who  thus  forget  themselves  in  ordei 
to  save  others  from  injury  or  death  there  is  a 
protecting  sphere  from  above;  and  this  is  the 


COURAGE. 


171 


reason  why  so  few,  who  take  most  imminent 
risks  in  order  to  save  others  from  destruction, 
are  themselves  injured.  Here,  we  believe,  lies 
the  truth  in  this  matter.  A brave  man  is  one 
who  looks  away  from  himself,  and  seeks  the 
good  of  others.  This  is  to  act  from  heavenly 
principles,  and  must  bring  around  him  who  so 
acts  a spiiere  of  protection  from  Heaven. 

Every  man  should,  from  principle,  resist  op- 
pression, and  oppose  an  unyielding  front  to  all 
attempts  at  invading  his  rights.  He  should  do 
this  as  well  for  his  own  protection,  and  that  of 
those  who  are  dependent  upon  him,  as  in  order 
to  weaken  the  confidence  of  evil-minded  men, 
who  seek  to  oppress  every  one,  thus  making 
them  more  cautious  how  tb  put  into  practice 
their  evil  purposes.  One  unflinching  adherent 
to  right  principles  in  the  community  saves  num 
bers  from  becoming  the  victims  of  wrong. 

Without  courage  a man  is  a curse  to  him- 
self, and  often  a curse  to  others  who  may  hap- 
pen to  depend  upon  him.  He  is  a victim  to 
causeless  fears ; is  ever  dreading  some  evil  that 
he  has  not  the  bravery  to  meet  with  a bold 
front,  and  strive  vigorously  to  conquer.  He  sees 
some  evil  thing  stea  thily  approaching  his  un- 
conscious neighbor,  but,  fearful  lest  he  may  suffer 


172 


ADVICE  TO  YOLNG  MEN 


consequences  himself,  fails  to  give  the  alarm, 
and  thus,  with  a base  cowardice,  permits  an  in- 
jury to  take  place  that  he  might  have  turned 
aside.  It  is  no  wonder  that  a coward  receives 
the  brand  of  infamy. 

In  the  present  state  of  the  world,  the  courage 
to  act  right  in  common  society  is  the  virtue 
most  needed,  and  this  every  young  man  should 
have.  He  should  never  flinch  from  speaking 
.he  truth  where  its  utterance  will  counteract 
evil  designs,  or  advance  the  knowledge  and 
practice  of  good  principles.  He  is  bound  to 
do  this  by  every  consideration  that  regards  the 
well-being  of  society.  As  to  what  this  one  or 
he  other  may  say,  he  has  nothing  to  do  with 
that.  He  should  have  the  courage  to  disregard 
all  such  appeals  to  his  self-love,  or  to  the  feel- 
ing of  deference  to  the  good  opinions  of  weak- 
minded  or  bad  men.  The  cardinal  virtue  in 
society  is  a determination  to  do  right  because 
it  is  right,  regardless  of  consequences.  This 
is  true  courage. 

There  is  a kind  of  courage,  which  takes  on  a dif 
ferent  and  less  imposing  form  than  usually  meets 
the  eye,  but  which  is  oftener  needed  by  young 
men  than  the  bolder  spirit  of  opposition  to  wrong, 
which  all  regard  as  a virtue  essential  to  perfect- 
ness of  character.  This  is  the  courage  to  do  ex- 


COURAGE. 


173 


actly  right,  in  small  matters;  or,  what  is  equally 
important  and  harder  to  achieve,  the  courage  to 
acknowledge  an  error,  and  meet  its  consequences, 
rather  than,  after  getting  into  a wrong  position, 
continue  in  a wrong  course,  which  can  only  lead 
farther  and  farther  away  from  right.  To  make 
this  clear,  let  us  relate  an  occurrence  in  the  history 
of  a young  man,  who  came  near  suffering  a dis- 
graceful exposure  that  would  have  stained  his 
character  in  the  eyes  of  the  world.  We  will  call 
him  John  T . 

He  was  honest,  kind-hearted,  social,  and  intelli- 
gent. These  qualities  gave  him  a good  reputation, 
and  made  him  a favorite  with  every  one.  So 
highly  did  the  gentleman  in  whose  employment 
he  had  been  for  some  years,  esteem  him,  that  he 
trusted  him  with  his  cash  account,  in  the  fullest 
confidence  that  every  dollar  which  came  into  the 
young  man’s  possession  would  be  as  safe  as  if  in 
his  own  hands. 

Now  it  happened  that  among  the  acquaintances 
of  T , was  a man  of  the  class  known  as  un- 

thrifty. That  is,  he  was  a man  who  always  con- 
trived to  spend  more  money  than  he  earned. 

T ’s  friendship  for  this  person  was  of  some 

years’  duration,  and,  notwithstanding  the  differ- 
ence in  their  characters,  and  we  might  say  princi- 
ples, there  existed  a warm  mutual  attachment. 


74 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


One  day,  this  man,  whom  we  will  designate  as 

Mr.  H , called  upon  his  friend  and  said, 

“ John,  I want  a hundred  dollars  until  day 
after  to-morrow ; and  you  must  get  it  for  me.” 

T shook  his  head  and  replied, 

“ Unfortunately,  I am  not  the  possessor  of  ten 
dollars.  If  I had  the  money,  it  should  be  at  your 
service.” 

“ You  must  get  it  for  me,  T ,”  said 

H , in  a tone  that  was  almost  imperative.  t(  I 

owe  the  amount,  and  promised,  positively,  to  re- 
turn it  to-day.  If  I don’t  do  it,  I shall  be  hurt 
in  a quarter  where  I particularly  desire  to  stand 
well.” 

“ I am  sorry,”  replied  John  T . 

u Sorry  is  not  the  thing,  my  friend.  I want 
the  money.  If  it  was  two  days  later,  I could  get 
it  from  Linton.  He  says  he  will  have  it  for  me 
on  Thursday.  But  to-day  I must  keep  my  word, 
or  I don’t  know  what  consequences  may  follow. 

H spoke  in  a troubled  way,  and  looked 

really  anxious. 

u Did  Linton  say  he  would  let  you  have  a hun« 
dred  dollars  on  Thursday  ?” 

“ He  did.” 

“ Positivsly  ?” 

“ Yes.” 

u And  you  think  you  may  depend  on  him 


COURAGE. 


175 


u 0 yes.  His  word’s  as  good  as  his  bond . If 
he  says  a thing,  you  may  rely  upon  it.” 

“ I might  borrow  the  amount  for  you  until 

Thursday,”  said  T , with  some  hesitation  of 

manner. 

“ It  shall  be  returned  to  you  on  that  day  posi- 
tively. Get  it  for  me,  and  you  will  lay  me  under 
a perpetual  obligation.” 

“ Call  here  in  an  hour,  and  I will  see  what 
can  be  done,”  said  T . 

H went  away,  promising  to  call  in  an 

hour. 

The  basis  of  the  young  man’s  suggestion,  that 
he  might  borrow  the  sum  for  a couple  of  days, 
was  a thought  of  the  funds  in  his  hands,  amount- 
ing to  nearly  three  hundred  dollars.  He  might 
take  one  hundred  dollars  from  this  fund,  and  re- 
place the  amount  on  receiving  it  back  from  his 
friend,  and  no  one  be  hurt  by  the  transaction. 

After  H left,  this  thought  was  looked  at  a 

little  more  narrowly.  11  I’ve  no  right  to  use  a 
dollar  of  that  money,”  he  said  to  himself.  u It  is 
placed  in  my  hands  for  safe  keeping,  not  to  lend. 
No — no.  I cannot  do  this.  But  where  else  can 
I borrow  the  amount?” 

Now  T was  a prudent  young  man  in  his 

expenditures,  always  keeping  them  down  to  his 
income  at  least,  and  generally  something  below  it. 


176 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN, 


So  he  never  had  occasion  for  borrowing,  and  had, 
in  consequence,  no  borrowing  facilities.  To  whom 
should  he  now  go,  and  ask  for  the  loan  of  a hun- 
dred dollars  to  be  returned  in  two  days?  He 
would  be  ashamed  to  look  any  one  in  the  face  and 
make  that  request.  He  was  not  in  business, 
that  he  needed  a sum  like  that  to-day,  which 
might  be  returned  from  business  receipts  on  the 
next. 

So,  borrowing  was  out  of  the  question,  and 
thought  came,  in  a troubled  state,  back  to  the 
funds  in  his  hands.  He  felt  bewildered  and  anx- 
ious. Time  was  passing.  The  minutes  glided 
along  with  swiftly  tripping  feet.  The  hour  would 
soon  be  gone.  It  occurred  to  him  to  ask  his  em- 
ployer to  let  him  have  a hundred  dollars  for  a few 
days.  But,  what  urgent  use  had  he  for  a hundred 
dollars  ? How  could  he  explain,  satisfactorily,  this 
sudden  want  to  his  employer,  who  was  a man  apt 
to  look  to  the  bottom  of  things  that  came  under 
his  observation  ? No — he  could  not  ask  for  a loan, 
when,  if  questioned,  he  must  say  that  he  wished 
to  lend  the  money  to  an  acquaintance. 

The  hour  expired,  and  H came  in  punc- 

tually. 

“ Have  you  the  money  for  me  ?”  he  asked,  in 
an  expectant  manner. 

T— — shook  his  head. 


COURAGE. 


177 


A shadow  of  disappointment  went  over  the 
face  of  H , who  made  a half  despairing  ges- 

ture. 

u I fully  depended  on  you,”  he  said. 

“ There  is  no  one  from  whom  I can  borrow,” 
said  T . 

u Can’t  you  get  the  amount  for  me  here  ? Won’t 
Mr.  Harwood  let  you  have  it  ?” 

“ I wouldn’t  make  such  a request  of  him  for 
the  world.  He  is  a man  of  very  peculiar  and 
strict  ideas.” 

H commenced  moving  about  in  an  exceed- 

ingly troubled  manner.  “ It  will  be  a dreadful 
thing  for  me  if  I don’t  get  this  money.  I can’t 
tell  what  the  consequence  may  be.  And  I only 
want  it  for  a couple  of  days.” 

Now,  John  T had  not  the  courage  to  bear 

this  exhibition  of  pain  in  his  friend,  nor  the  firm- 
ness to  resist  the  tempter  who  was  urging  him  to 
use  the  money  in  his  hands  which  belonged  to  an- 
other. So  he  yielded. 

“ I might,”  he  said,  in  a hesitating  manner., 
u let  you  have  the  amount  wanted  out  of  funds 
belonging  to  my  employer.  It  will  scarcely  be 
required  in  the  business  for  a couple  of  days.”  • 

H caught  at  this  eagerly. 

“ That  will  do  ! That’s  just  the  thing  !”  he 
12 


178 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


replied.  u Let  me  have  a hundred,  and  you  may 
depend  on  getting  it  back  day  after  to-morrow.” 
But  T hesitated. 

u Fm  afraid,”  he  said,  u if  Mr.  Harwood  were 
to  find  it  out,  it  would  cost  me  his  confidence — 
perhaps  my  situation.” 

“ Does  he  examine  the  cash  every  day  ?” 

“ No.” 

“ How  often  ? Once  a week  ?” 

“ Usually.” 

u Then  there’s  no  danger.  I only  want  the 
money  until  day  after  to-morrow.  You  must  let 
me  have  it,  my  friend.  Do  me  this  service,  and 
you  will  lay  me  under  the  greatest  obligation.” 

Poor  T , thus  pressed,  had  not  the  courage 

to  say  no.  In  an  evil  moment,  he  withdrew  a 
hundred  dollars  from  the  cash  entrusted  tohis  care, 
and  loaned  it  to  his  friend,  who  took  the  money, 
and  hurried  away,  without  so  much  as  leaving  his 
obligation  for  the  amount. 

Half  an  hour  afterwards,  Mr.  Harwood,  the 

employer  of  T , came  in.  The  very  sound 

of  his  footsteps,  as  he  entered,  made  the  heart  of 

T beat  quicker ) and  when  he  looked  into  his 

face,  he  was  ponscious  of  a certain  confusion  of 
manner,  that  he  feared  would  attract  observation. 
He  had  never  felt  so  strangely  in  the  presence  of 
any  man  in  his  life. 


COURAGE. 


179 


11  John,”  said  Mr.  Harwood,  soon  after  coming 
in,  “ how  mach  money  have  you  in  the  cash 
box  ?” 

“ I will  see,”  replied  the  young  man,  turning  away 
quickly,  so  that  his  suddenly  flushing  face  might 
not  be  observed,  and  walking  slowly  to  the  fire- 
proof. He  moved  slowly,  in  order  to  get  time 
for  thought.  What  should  he  say  ? Acknow- 
ledge that  he  had  used  a hundred  dollars,  and  for 
what  purpose  ? No — he  had  not  the  courage  to 
do  that  only  right  thing  under  the  circumstances. 
He  had  not  courage  enough  to  speak  the  exact 
truth,  and  meet  the  consequences.  So  he  brought 
out  the  cash  box,  and  after  counting  over  the 
money,  answered  his  employer’s  question. 

“ We  have  a hundred  and  sixty-three  dollars 
out  of  bank,  sir.” 

u Is  that  all  ?”  said  Mr.  Harwood,  speaking  as 
if  in  some  doubt.  “ I thought  you  had  about 
three  hundred  dollars.” 

“ Let  me  count  it  again,”  said  T . Ah! 

here  was  subterfuge  ! Alas  ! alas  ! How  quickly 
does  one  wrong  act  produce  consequences  that 
tempt  to  the  commission  of  other  wrong  acts ! 
And,  with  hands  from  which  he  with  difficulty 
kept  back  a visible  tremor,  he  counted  the  money 
over  again. 


180 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


“ Just  one  hundred  and  sixty-three  dollars/'  he 
repeated. 

“ I was  mistaken/'  remarked  the  employer. 
“ But  no  matter.  I promised  to  let  Mr.  Todd  have 
two  hundred,  thinking  that  we  had  more  than  that 
sum  out  of  bank.  I will  draw  a check  for  a hun- 
dred, and  when  he  comes  in,  you  can  give  him 
that  and  a hundred  in  money." 

Something  real  or  apparent,  in  the  tone  of  Mr. 
Harwood's  voice,  troubled  the  clerk.  What  would 
he  not  have  given  to  recall  that  act ! 

No  further  remark  was  made  by  Mr.  Harwood. 
Two  days  passed,  and  still  the  cash  remained  short 

one  hundred  dollars.  H had  failed  to  keep 

his  promise.  T spent  the  day  on  which  the 

money  was  to  be  returned,  in  a state  of  anxious 
expectancy,  and  in  the  evening  called  upon  his 
friend. 

“ My  dear  fellow !"  exclaimed  H , on  seeing 

him.  u I am  really  ashamed  to  look  you  in  the 
face.  Linton  disappointed  me  shamefully.  He 
promised  me  in  the  most  positive  manner  that  I 
should  have  a hundred  dollars  to-day.  But  when 
I called  on  him,  he  said  he  had  entirely  forgotten 
it,  and  used  every  dollar  in  another  direction." 

“ Will  he  let  you  have  it  to-morrow  ?"  asked 
T , in  a husky  voice. 


COURAGE. 


181 


“ He  wouldn’t  promise  me.  But  I’m  in  hopes 
of  getting  it  out  of  him,”  was  answered. 

“ But  suppose  he  fails  you  ! What  then  ?” 

“ I must  get  it  somewhere  else,”  replied 

H . 

T sighed  heavily,  and  looked  troubled  and 

anxious. 

“ Just  see,”  he  said,  “ the  position  in  which  I 
am  placed.  If  Mr.  Harwood  should  discover  the 
existing  cash  deficiency,  I would  be  ruined  in  his 
estimation.” 

u Oh,  he’ll  not  discover  it !”  replied  H , 

lightly.  11  You’re  nervous.” 

“ I am  nervous,  and  with  reason,”  said  T . 

u Mr.  Harwood  is  a man  of  peculiar  ideas.  He 
would  never  forgive  a breach  of  confidence  like 
this,  if  he  were  to  find  it  out;  and  I think  sus- 
picion has  been  excited.” 

“ Why  do  you  say  that  ?” 

11  In  calling  for  the  amount  of  cash  on  hand, 
with  a view  to  lending  a neighbor  two  hundred 
dollars,  he  was  evidently  disappointed,  as  well  as 
puzzled,  to  find  the  sum  smaller  by  over  a hun- 
dred dollars  than  he  supposed.  If  he  should  look 
at  the  balance  called  for  by  the  cash  book  and  con- 
firm his  suspicion,  just  see  where  I would  stand. 
H , you  must  return  me  this  money  on  to- 

morrow, and  that  without  fail.” 


182 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


H promised  fairly,  but  did  not  perform. 

The  fact  is,  spendthrift  habits  produced  money- 
needs  beyond  his  income,  and  the  temptation  to 
re-venture  at  the  gaming  table  had  lured  him  from 
the  path  of  virtue.  It  was  to  pay  losses,  that  he 
had  iniquitously  borrowed  from  his  too  compliant 
friend. 

On  the  next  day,  a customer  paid  in  the  sum 

of  one  hundred  dollars.  As  T held  his  pen 

in  hand,  about  to  make  an  entry  of  this  sum 
in  the  cash  book,  an  evil  counselor  suggested  the 
omission  of  the  entry  for  the  present;  or,  until 

H returned  the  missing  hundred.  If  Mr. 

Harwood  should  notice  and  speak  of  this  omission, 
he  could  treat  it  lightly  as  an  error.  The  fine  edge 
of  his  moral  sense  was  already  touched.  A little 
while  he  debated  the  safety — not  the  right  or 
wrong — of  this  course.  He  could  not  see  all 
clear ; but  he  withheld  his  pen  from  making  the 
entry,  at  least  for  the  present,  and  shut  up  the 
cash  book.  There  followed  a sense  of  relief,  as 
the  peril  of  his  situation  seemed  lessened  by  this 
act ; but  a new  uneasiness  succeeded  the  product 
of  wrong  in  another  direction.  That  failure  to 
make  an  entry  of  cash  received,  in  order  that,  in 
case  of  examination,  a balance,  in  agreement  with 
the  actual  amount  of  cash  on  hand,  might  appear, 


COURAGE. 


183 


troubled  him  even  while  his  thoughts  were  busy 
about  other  things. 

Days  went  by,  and  still  the  friend  withholding 

the  money  which  he  had  borrowed  of  T , the 

cash  book  continued  to  show  a false  balance,  but 
one  in  accordance  with  the  amount  of  money  on 
hand.  Mr.  Harwood  made  his  usual  weekly  ex- 
amination of  the  cash  account,  and  passed  it  as 
correct.  How  the  heart  of  his  unhappy  clerk 
trembled  as  Mr.  Harwood’s  eyes  ran  along  the 
debit  and  credit  entries,  pausing,  now  and  then, 
as  if  trying  to  recall  some  receipt  or  expenditure 
which  did  not  appear.  The  examination  was 
longer  than  usual,  but  closed  at  last,  when  the 
heart  of  T beat  more  freely. 

A day  or  two  afterwards,  H , who  had  not 

yet  returned  the  money,  called  to  see  his  friend. 

The  face  of  T brightened,  as  the  young  man 

came  in.  He  thought  of  the  hundred  dollars,  and 
believed  that  he  was  about  to  receive  it.  Not  so, 
however.  H had  come  again  as  the  tempter. 

“ My  dear  T ,”  he  said,  as  he  stood  holding 

the  hand  of  his  too  compliant  friend,  “I  am  mor- 
tified to  death  about  those  hundred  dollars.  I 
can’t  tell  you  what  I have  suffered  on  account  of 
my  failure  to  keep  faith.  Linton  deceived  me 
shamefully.  I thought  him  a man  of  his  word; 
but  now  I see  that  he  is  a mere  trifler.” 


184 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


l{  It  places  me  in  a bad  position,”  replied 
T . “ In  a very  bad  position.” 

“I  know  it  does,  and  that  is  what  grieves  me. 
I wouldn’t  have  had  a thing  like  this  happen  for 
the  world.” 

“ When  do  you  think  you  can  return  it  ?”  asked 
T . 

“Well,  that’s  just  what  I came  in  to  ta^k  with 
you  about.  If  I can  get  fifty  dollars  to-day,  I cam 
certainly  return  you  the  hundred  to-morrow,  and 
the  fifty  on  the  day  afterwards.” 

T was  silent. 

u You  can  get  it  for  me,”  said  H . 

T was  still  silent,  standing  with  his  eyes 

upon  the  floor.  He  had  heard  it  suggested,  within 

a day  or  two,  that  H gambled.  He  now  felt 

sure  of  it.  How  was  fifty  to  produce  a hundred 
and  fifty  in  the  short  period  of  two  days,  except 
in  some  perilous  venture  like  that  at  the  gaming 

table?  We  regret  to  say,  that  T was  not 

shocked,  as  he  ought  to  have  been,  as  he  thought 
over  the  probabilities  in  regard  to  this  suggestion. 
The  position  in  which  he  had  placed  himself,  and 
the  wrong  acts  already  done,  had,  as  before  inti- 
mated, touched  his  moral  sense.  The  question 
now  debated  was,  as  to  the  chances  in  favor 

of  success  on  the  part  ct'  H if  he  should  lend 

him  fifty  dollars  more. 


COURAGE 


185 


(i  Linton’s  failure  to  keep  faith  has  put  me  in 
a most  unfortunate  position  towards  you,”  said 

H , in  an  insinuating  way.  “ I would  not  have 

touched  the  money  if  I had  dreamed,  even  re- 
motely, that  he  would  break  his  word.” 

“ How  are  you  to  get  a hundred  and  fifty  dol- 
lars out  of  fifty  ?”  asked  T . 

“ I do  not  care  to  explain,  now,  the  operation  I 
all  make.  But  I have  the  way  clear  enough. 
Get  me  fifty  dollars,  and  we  will  all  be  out  of  this 
unpleasant  difficulty  in  the  course  of  at  least  two 
days.” 

“ You  said  that  you  could  return  me  the  one 
hundred  to-morrow.” 

11 1 can  and  will,”  replied  H . 

It  was  plain,  now,  to  the  mind  of  T , that 

his  friend  gambled  in  some  way  ; and  the  thought 
occurred  to  him,  that,  seeing  the  confidence  with 
which  he  spoke,  he  might  have  some  weak  victim 
in  his  toils  from  whom  his  superior  skill  would 
surely  abstract  the  money  he  promised  so  confi- 
dently to  replace. 

Ten  days  previous  to  this  such  a thought  would 

have  shocked  the  mind  of  T ; but  peril,  and 

the  beginning  of  wrong,  combined  to  obscure  his 
moral  perceptions.  He  was  so  anxious  to  get 
back  the  sum  which  he  had  so  weakly  taken  from 
the  funds  entrusted  to  his  care,  that  he  did  not 


186 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


pause  to  scrutinize  the  means  by  which  his  debtor 
should  place  him  all  right  again. 

Still,  the  tempter  was  not  permitted  to  bear  him 
down  without  a struggle.  There  were  better 
counselors  near,  and  they  gained  an  audience  be- 
fore blind  action  followed.  From  these  came  this 
suggestion:  That  he  should  stop  where  he  was; 
and  let  the  hundred  dollars  go  rather  than  touch 
another  penny  of  Mr.  Harwood's  money.  Gam- 
bling, they  said,  was  a crime;  and  that  if  his 
friend  were  really  a gambler,  no  faith  could  be 
placed  in  his  word;  for  a gambler  was  a robber, 
and  would  plunder  friend  as  well  as  stranger; 
and,  moreover,  if  he  furnished  him  with  the 
means  of  doing  evil,  he  was  alike  criminal. 

“ But  what  can  I do  ?"  answered  T , in 

his  own  thought.  “ How  can  I replace  this 
money  ?" 

“ Have  the  courage  to  do  right,"  counseled 
the  friends  of  his  soul.  “ Go  to  Mr.  Harwood. 
Tell  him  what  you  have  done,  and  ask  to  have 
the  money  charged  to  your  account.  Better 
lose  the  sum  ten  times  over,  than  go  forward  a 
step  in  the  way  you  are  now  tempted  to  walk 
in." 

But  the  thing  that  T lacked  was  the 

courage  to  tell  Mr.  Harwood  what  he  had  done. 

11 1 will  try  this  way  'f  escape  first,"  he  an- 


COURAGE. 


187 


swered,  “and  then,  if  it  do  not  bring  me  out  all 
right,  I will  make  a clean  breast  of  it  to  Mr.  Har- 
wood. 

All  right?  Poor  bewildered  young  man  ! 
There  is  no  coming  out  right  if  we  take  the  wrong 
road. 

It  is  with  pain  that  we  have  to  write  the  truth. 

T abstracted  from  his  employer’s  funds  fifty 

dollars  more,  and  gave  the  sum  to  his  false  friend. 
On  the  next  day,  fifty  dollars,  instead  of  the  pro- 
mised huodred  were  returned;  but,  on  the  day 
succeeding,  H , instead  of  producing  the  re- 

maining hundred,  succeeded  in  borrowing  seventy 
dollars  more  from  the  weakly  compliant  clerk. 

The  two  young  men  had  now  become  involved 

together  in  wrong.  If  T broke  with  H , 

the  hundred  and  seventy  dollars  were  lost  beyond 
the  chances  of  recovery,  and  he  could  not  endure 

that  thought.  He  was  well  satisfied  that  H 

gambled ; but  while  he  regarded  the  vice  with 
detestation,  he  was  so  anxious  to  get  back  the 
funds  taken  from  his  employer,  that  he  said,  in 
justification  of  his  conduct,  in  lending  further 
sums,  “ It  is  none  of  my  business  how  he  gets 
the  money.”  But  it  was  his  business.  In  fur- 
nishing the  means  to  gamble,  no  matter  under 
what  pretext,  he  became  involved  in  the  guilt  of 
his  false  friend. 


188 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


In  order  to  keep  the  unhappy  clerk  in  his  toils, 

H would  return  small  sums,  say  twenty  or 

thirty  dollars  at  a time.  But  he  was  sure  to  get  at  least 
a hundred  from  him  within  two  or  three  days. 
And  this  dishonest  and  dangerous  course  of  con- 
duct went  on  for  three  or  four  months,  until  the 

amount  of  T ’s  depredations  on  his  employer’s 

funds,  had  reached  the  sum  of  six  hundred  dol- 
lars ! Twenty  times  during  this  wretched  period, 
had  T made  up  his  mind  to  go  to  Mr.  Har- 

wood and  lay  the  matter  before  him  without  dis- 
guise. But  his  courage  as  often  failed.  He  had 
gone  wrong  in  the  beginning  through  lack  of  cou- 
rage to  say  no,  to  a tempting  friend ; and  he  kept 
going  further  and  further  wrong  through  lack  of 
courage  to  stand  still  and  face  the  evil  conse- 
quences that  stood  in  threatening  attitudes  before 
him.  In  order  to  cover  his  abstractions  of  money, 
T had  recourse  to  omissions  and  false  en- 

tries. 

The  experience  of  those  few  months,  were  the 
bitterest  of  his  whole  life.  Night  and  day  he  was 
oppressed  by  a sense  of  impending  danger.  He 
dreamed  of  disaster  and  ruin.  The  presence  of 
Mr.  Harwood  was  always  like  that  of  a judge 
about  to  pronounce  some  dreadful  sentence,  instead 
of  a kind  friend  and  confiding  employer.  Un- 
happy  young  man  ! How  were  all  the  springs  of 


COURAGE. 


189 


life  dashed  with  bitterness  ? For  lack  of  courage 
to  do  right,  he  was  now  involved  in  transactions 
that  threatened  to  destroy  his  good  name,  and  ruin 
all  his  worldly  prospects. 

11  John,”  said  Mr.  Harwood  one  day,  in  a tone 
that  made  his  heart  leap  and  tremble.  Mr.  Har- 
wood was  standing  at  the  desk,  with  the  cash  book 
open  before  him. 

The  young  man  came  up  to  the  desk,  feeling 
something  like  a prisoner  about  to  receive  sen- 
tence. 

“ Isn’t  this  a mistake,  John  ?”  and  Mr.  Har- 
wood looked  his  clerk  in  the  face,  while  he  pointed 
to  a figure  which  John  knew  too  well  should  be 
a three  instead  of  a two;  and  being  in  the  column 
of  hundreds,  it  made  just  one  hundred  dollars  dif- 
ference in  the  cash  balance. 

The  clerk  bent  over  the  page,  and  affected  to  be 
adding  up  the  column  of  figures;  but  he  was  hur- 
riedly debating  the  question  of  throwing  himself 

upon  the  mercy  of  Mr.  H , and  telling  him, 

without  reserve,  the  whole  story  of  his  miserable 

connection  with  H ; but  his  heart  failed  him. 

He  had  not  the  courage  to  do  right. 

“ There  is  an  error,  certainly,”  he  replied,  in  a 
voice  of  forced  calmness.  “ It  should  be  three 
instead  of  two.” 


190 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


t(  Does  your  cash  stand  a hundred  dollars 
over?”  asked  Mr.  Harwood. 

Whether  the  answer  were  yes,  or  no,  T 

saw  that  his  position  would  be  equally  perilous. 
Ah  ! if  he  had  only  possessed  the  courage  to  meet 
this  sad  affair  face  to  face  long  ago,  and  terminate  all 
by  a confession  to  Mr.  Harwood,  how  different  would 
it  have  been!  Deeply  did- he  regret  his  weak- 
ness. Now,  merciful  influences  were  driving  him 
into  a place  from  which  he  could  only  hope  for 
extrication  through  a full  unburdening  of  himself. 
Shutting  the  cash  book  with  a firm  hand — despair 
gave  him  nerve — he  looked  up  into  Mr.  Harwood’s 
countenance  with  a face  so  pale,  that  the  other 
ejaculated  in  surprise — 

“ John  ! John  ! What  ails  you  ?” 

“ Mr.  Harwood,  I want  to  talk  with  you  a lit- 
tle.” John’s  voice  was  husky.  His  lips  played 
uneasily,  and  there  was  an  unnatural  twitching 
of  the  muscles  all  over  his  face. 

“ Is  anything  wrong,  John?”  asked  Mr.  Har- 
wood, firmly,  but  in  a tone  so  kind  and  so  encoura- 
ging, that  all  reserve  instantly  fled. 

“ Yes,  sir ; very  wrong,”  replied  the  young 
man,  as  the  tears  came  into  his  eyes.  u I am  in 
gore  trouble,  sir.” 

“ On  what  account,  John  ? Sit  down.  There, 
compose  yourself.  Consider  me  your  best  friend, 


COURAGE. 


191 


and  speak  as  freely  as  if  you  were  making  confes- 
sion to  heaven.” 

The  poor  clerk  was  so  much  overcome  by  this 
kind  appeal,  that  he  covered  his  face  and  wept 
bitterly  for  some  time.  Then  he  told,  without 
disguise  or  extenuation,  the  whole  story  of  his 
wrong  deeds. 

Mr.  Harwood  listened  with  grief  and  indigna- 
tion to  the  unhappy  recital. 

“ My  poor  boy,”  he  said,  with  much  feeling, 
for  he  was  attached  to  his  clerk,  “ has  it  come  to 
this  ? John  ! John  ! How  could  you  have  been 
so  lacking  in  the  courage  to  do  right?” 

“ I did  not  mean  to  wrong  you,  sir,”  said  the 
young  man  earnestly.  u And  now,  if  you  will  let 
me  serve  you  until  I can  pay  back  the  debt,  I will 
deny  myself  all  but  the  barest  necessaries  of  life, 
until  we  are  even.  I do  not  expect  you  to  confide 
in  me  as  you  have  done.  The  high  trust  you  re- 
posed, I have  betrayed.  Oh,  sir  ! if  you  knew 
what  I have  suffered  ! if  you  knew  what  I suffer 
now  !” 

“ Wrong  always  brings  suffering,  John.” 

11 1 know  it,  sir.  I have  proved  that  it  is  so,  to 
my  deep  sorrow,”  answered  the  unhappy  young  man. 

“ May  the  suffering  be  a salutary  discipline,” 
said  Mr.  Harwood. 


192 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


(<  I will  die  rather  than  yield  again  under  any 
enticement,”  replied  John,  in  tears. 

Mr.  Harwood  was  a true  man.  He  understood 
clearly  John's  position,  feelings',  and  character. 
He  felt  for  him  deeply,  but  he  could  not  pass  so 
serious  a matter  by  lightly,  nor  trust  his  clerk  as 
fully  as  he  had  done  before.  He  kept  him,  how- 
ever, in  his  service,  and  kept,  also,  his  secret. 
If  the  young  man  had  possessed  the  courage  to 
face  the  first  consequences  of  his  wrong  act,  had 
come  to  him  immediately  on  discovering  that 

H had  deceived  him,  then  he  would  have 

shown  an  element  of  character  on  which  great 
reliance  might  be  placed.  It  was  the  want  of 
courage  to  face  unpleasant  consequences,  rather 
than  continue  to  walk  in  a wrong  course,  that  left 
on  the  mind  of  Mr.  Harwood,  a doubt  in  regard 
to  him.  He  felt  that  he  might  be  tempted,  and 
fall ; not  from  evil  inclination,  but  from  want  of 
firmness  and  courage.  x\nd  so  it  took  a long  time 
for  the  old  confidence  to  be  restored.  But  time 
proved  the  lesson  to  have  been  effectual.  The  fear 
and  suffering  of  that  brief  period  of  wrong,  had 
penetrated  so  deeply,  and  left  such  vivid  memories, 
that  he  was  in  little  danger  of  being  lured  again 
from  the  path  of  rectitude. 


RELIGION. 


193 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

RELIGION. 

There  are  three  classes  of  men  in  the  world 
-the  civil  man,  the  moral  man,  and  the  spirit- 
ual man.  The  civil  man  lives  in  mere  external 
obedience  to  civil  laws,  because  his  own  well- 
being is  secured  thereby  ; the  moral  man  not 
only  regards  the  civil  law,  but  lives  also  in 
obedience  to  moral  laws ; while  the  spiritual 
man  obeys  divine  laws.  The  first  obeys  only 
the  civil  law  ; the  second  obeys  the  civil  law 
as  well  as  the  moral  law,  for  both  are  in- 
volved in  the  latter ; but  the  spiritual  man  obeys 
both  civil  and  moral  as  well  as  divine  laws, 
because  the  divine  law  includes  all  the  rest 
From  this  it  is  clearly  seen  that  the  spiritual, 
or  truly  religious  man,  must  be  a moral  as  well 
as  a civil  man ; that,  in  fact,  he  is  the  only 
true  man  in  society,  or  he  who  regards  the 
good  of  the  whole  from  an  internal  and  spirit- 
ual ground,  and  not  from  any  external  and  self- 
ish considerations. 

Although  the  very  life  and  true  vital  energy 
of  society  is  religion  vet  it  is  a subject  of  dff 

13 


194 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


ficult  introduction  in  a work  like  this.  Christ- 
endom is  divided  into  so  many  sects  with  variant 
and  opposing  doctrines, — and  doctrine  is  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  religious  belief,  — that  there 
is  great  danger  of  giving  offence  where  none  is 
intended,  and  injuring  the  usefulness  of  the 
book  by  creating  a prejudice  against  it.  Still  it 
is  felt  to  be  of  such  vast  importance,  that  we 
would  consider  our  work  as  greatly  deficient  if 
we  were  to  pass  it  by. 

Whoever  has  read  carefully  the  first  three 
chapters  of  this  book,  will  clearly  see  the  ne- 
cessity of  religion,  or  a means  whereby  man  may 
return  to  a state  of  heavenly  order  and  conse- 
quent happiness.  Truth  must  be  the  basis  of 
religion,  for  that  leads  to  good ; the  false  and 
the  evil  are  inseparable  companions.  The  Bible 
is  the  word  of  God,  or  divine  truth,  and  there- 
fore that  must  be  the  basis  of  religion.  And  yet 
we  have  doctrines  of  the  most  opposite  charac- 
ters; and  those  who  hold  them  all  appeal  to  the 
Bible,  and  profess  to  find  proofs  therein  to  sub- 
stantiate them.  Of  course,  all  cannot  be  true, 
for  there  is  only  one  true  system  of  religious  doc- 
trines, and  all  that  is  variant  to  that  must  be  error 

Let  every  young  man  who  has  arrived  at  ma- 
ture age,  when  the  whole  responsibility  of  life 
and  its  consequences  begin  to  rest  upon  his 


RELIGION. 


195 


own  shoulders,  look  at  the  subject  of  his  reli- 
gious views  with  an  earnest  desire  to  know  the 
truth  for  its  own  sake,  and  in  this  spirit  canvass 
them  thoroughly.  The  means  which  God  has 
given  him  for  the  determination  of  truth  when 
presented  to  his  mind,  is  his  reason ; and  this  he 
must  exercise  vigorously,  holding,  at  the  same 
time,  his  mind  in  freedom  Uk  adopt  whatever 
he  clearly  sees  to  be  rational  as  well  as  scrip- 
tural. Because  my  father  has  believed  a set  of 
religious  doctrines,  that  cannot  make  them  true 
to  me,  unless  I can  understand  them  clearly. 
While  I was  a child,  and  he  was  responsible  for 
my  religious  belief,  he  was  bound  to  teach  me 
the  doctrines  he  conscientiously  believed  to  be 
true.  But  when  I became  a man,  and  the  re- 
sponsibility was  transferred  to  me,  my  first  duty 
was  to  canvass  the  whole  matter  fairly,  and  adopt 
or  reject  according  to  the  best  light  I could 
obtain.  And  this  course  should  be  pursued  by 
every  one,  on  the  ground  that  nothing  is  truth 
to  the  mind  that  it  does  not  clearly  understand. 
To  adopt  a thing  as  true  because  others  believe 
it  to  be  so,  never  advances  a man  a step,  never 
gives  him  the  smallest  ability  to  fight  against 
evil  in  his  own  heart.  It  is  by  truth  alone  that 
a man  combats  with  what  is  false  and  evil ; 
and  this  must  be  truth  to  him,  not  to  another 


196 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


From  this  every  young  man,  who  thinks  seri- 
ously on  the  subject  of  religion,  will  see  the 
obligation  under  which  he  lies  to  examine  into 
the  very  foundation  of  his  religious  belief.  If  it 
be  a true  belief,  it  will  bear  any  amount  of  scru- 
tiny, and  show  its  own  brightness  and  excellence 
the  more  thoroughly  it  is  canvassed.  If  it  be 
not  true,  the  quicker  that  discovery  is  made  the 
better.  Is  there  any  one  who  loves  the  truth  foi 
its  own  sake  who  can  object  to  this?  No,  there 
cannot  be. 

Some  writers,  who  have  given  advice  to  young 
men,  when  they  came  to  treat  of  religion,  have 
ecommended  them  to  attend  church  regularly, 
and  to  assume  devout  appearances  when  there, 
because,  by  so  doing,  they  would  be  thought 
moral  and  religious,  and  thus  stand  a much  bet- 
ter chance  of  being  taken  by  the  hand,  and 
pushed  forward  in  the  world.  We  have  not 
only  seen  such  advice  in  books,  but  have  heard 
it  repeatedly  urged  upon  young  men,  by  persons 
calling  themselves  religious. 

For  a young  man  to  do  this,  w^e  should  say, 
would  be  for  him  to  act  hypocritically.  Any 
one  who  attends  church,  and  assumes  a religious 
exterior  from  mere  selfish  and  worldly  ends,  does 
himself  a greater  injury  than  he  supposes.  Far 
better  w'ould  it  be  for  him  to  remain  at  home, 


RELIGION. 


197 


Too  many  young  men  both  think  lightly  and 
speak  lightly  of  religion,  as  if  it  were  something 
not  intended  for  sensible  people  But,  as  re° 
ligion  is  the  means  by  which  a man  is  able  to 
overcome  the  corrupt  and  evil  tendencies  of  his 
nature,  and  rise  into  a life  of  heavenly  order,  we 
think  it  a matter  of  sufficiently  grave  importance 
to  command  the  earnest  attention  of  every  one. 
Mere  canting  and  blind  enthusiasm,  of  course, 
are  not  religion,  and  those  who  ridicule  and  cen- 
sure these  should  be  very  careful  not,  at  the 
same  time,  to  make  assertions  or  create  impres- 
sions injurious  to  true  religion. 

All  true  religion  is  founded  upon  a just  idea 
of  God.  A false  notion  of  God  results  inevi- 
tably from  a false  religion.  The  most  important 
thing  in  the  outset  is,  therefore,  the  formation  of 
a just  idea  of  the  divine  Being.  The  Bible  tells 
us  that  “ God  is  love.”  Now,  infinite  and  di- 
vine love  must  seek  to  bless  others  out  of  itself ; 
and  from  this  we  conclude  that  God  is  ever 
seeking  the  good  of  his  creatures,  and  that  re- 
ligion is  nothing  more  than  such  a love  to  God 
and  man  as  leads  us  to  obey  the  precepts  of 
the  one  and  seek  the  good  of  the  other.  The 
assumption,  therefore,  of  exterior  forms  of  sanc- 
tity are  nothing,  if  love  to  God  and  man  be  not 
in  the  heart.  Religion  is  a something  that  is 


198 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


eminently  practical ; it  goes  with  a man  into  all 
his  daily  avocations,  and  regulates  every  transac- 
tion of  his  life.  If,  in  his  business,  he  pursue 
his  own  interest  so  eagerly  as  to  hurt  his  neigh- 
bor’s interests,  he,  of  course,  does  violence  to  a 
true  religious  principle.  No  matter  what  he 
professes  to  believe  or  be;  in  that  act.  he  has 
offended  against  the  doctrine  that  “ religion  is 
love  to  God  and  man,”  and  therefore  done  evil 
before  his  Maker,  whose  very  essence  is  Love. 

The  religion  of  far  too  many  is  a Sunday  re- 
ligion. It  does  very  well  for  the  Sabbath,  when 
there  are  no  worldly  interests  to  be  looked  after, 
and  when  an  exterior  of  sanctity  is  not  in  the 
least  in  the  way  of  a sharp  bargain.  But  when 
Monday  comes,  other  matters  are  to  be  looked 
after,  which  it  would  not  do  to  associate  with 
religion,  lest  a thing  so  holy  should  suffer  vio- 
lence and  be  brought  into  disrepute.  The  reli- 
gion of  these  persons  consists  in  a faith  in  cer- 
tain doctrines,  by  which  they  are  to  be  saved, 
and  the  bringing  of  religion  down  into  the  world, 
by  which  it  is  in  danger  of  suffering  violence, 
as  they  understand  it,  is  to  talk  about  these  doc- 
trines among  men  of  the  world,  with  whom  they 
are  daily  engaged  in  driving  hard  bargains.  No 
doubt  the  least  said , the  better,  under  these  cir 
cumstances  ; and  in  keeping  silence,  therefore, 
they  are  right 


RELIGION. 


199 


Bat  what  is  really  meant  by  bringing  religion 
into  the  world,  is  for  men  to  take  with  them,  in 
their  business  and  social  intercourse,  that  regard 
for  the  neighbor’s  good  which  will  prevent  the 
taking  of  any  advantage  of  him  whatever.  Who- 
ever attempts  to  do  this  will  not  find  it,  how- 
ever, a very  easy  task.  His  self-love  will  be 
ever  prompting  him  to  do  as  others  do ; that  is, 
to  sacrifice  others’  good  in  striving  to  secure 
his  own ; but  if  he  be  truly  endeavoring  to  act 
from  a religious  principle,  he  will  shun  the  evil 
of  overreaching  his  neighbor,  because  it  is  a sin 
against  God ; and  in  so  doing  he  will  receive 
divine  power  to  overcome  it. 

Here  we  have  given  a simple  instance  of 
how  religion  is  to  be  brought  down  into  every- 
day life.  From  this  all  may  see  how  in  every 
act  a man  may  make  a principle  of  religion 
the  governing  law.  If  all  men  pursued  their 
business  upon  a basis  such  as  this,  we  would 
see  none  of  those  fluctuations  and  disturbances, 
throughout  the  whole  commercial  world,  that  row 
maKe  the  success  of  an  honest  man  so  very 
doubtful.  There  would  be  health  in  the  entire 
body,  from  the  skin  to  the  vital  regions  of  the 
heart  and  lungs. 

If  a true  regard  to  religion  will  produce 
health  in  so  diseased  a community  as  that  en- 


200 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


gaged  in  trade,  where  nearly  all,  in  the  eager 
pursuit  of  wealth,  care  not  who  loses  if  they  gain, 
it  is  every  man’s  duty  to  endeavor,  as  far  as  he 
is  concerned,  to  bring  it  down  from  the  church 
and  the  altar  into  real  life. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

BAD  HABITS. 

Under  this  head  we  wish  to  say  a word  of 
two  on  smoking,  drinking,  and  swearing,  three 
very  bad  habits. 

In  regard  to  the  first,  — that  is,  smoking,  — we 
would  earnestly  recommend  every  young  man 
not  already  addicted  to  it  to  avoid  contracting 
a habit  that  must  injure  the  health,  and  which 
is  exceedingly  disagreeable  to  almost  every  one 
Tobacco  is  a vile  and  offensive  weed,  and  the  ex 
tensive  use  of  it  that  now  prevails,  is  one  of  the 
most  singular  circumstances,  connected  with  the 
history  of  the  past  and  present  centuries,  that 
has  occurred.  We  see  men  of  intelligence  and 
refinement  snuffing  it  up  their  noses,  chewing  it, 
and  smoking  it,  with  an  earnestness  that  would 


BAD  HABITS. 


201 


be  really  amusing,  were  it  not  that  a feeling  of 
disgust  quiets  the  mind  down  into  sobriety. 
What  the  use  of  it  is,  no  one  can  tell,  while 
nearly  all  agree  that  it  seriously  injures  the 
health. 

Smoking,  or  the  use  of  tobacco  in  any  form, 
is  not  a gentlemanly  practice,  for  the  simple  rea- 
son that  it  is  a selfish  habit,  which  is  always 
disagreeable  to  others,  while  true  gentility  is  a 
deference  to  the  comfort,  convenience,  and  fre- 
quently to  the  prejudices,  of  others.  To  have 
the  room  in  which  you  are  sitting  filled  with  the 
fumes  of  tobacco,  or  to  have  the  smoke  of  a cigar 
puffed  in  your  face,  is  certainly  very  disagree- 
able ; but  it  does  not  stop  there : your  clothes  are 
filled  with  the  vile  odor,  your  handkerchief  is 
rendered  offensive  and  useless,  and  your  lips  are 
covered  with  a bitter  and  irritating  deposit. 

The  offence  committed  by  the  smoker  is  not 
limited  to  these  disagreeables.  When  he  talks 
to  you,  his  breath  nauseates  you,  and  his  clothes 
fling  around  you  a strong  but  stale  odor  of  to- 
bacco. If  you  visit  him  at  his  room,  the  atmos- 
phere is  rank  and  oppressive.  If  you  lend  him 
a book,  when  you  get  it  back  you  are  almost 
tempted  to  throw  it  into  the  fire,  instead  of  re- 
turning it  to  its  place  on  the  shelf. 

How  a young  man  can  go  into  the  company  of 


202 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


ladies  after  smoking  is  more  than  we  can  com- 
prehend. We  hardly  think  he  would  if  he  knew 
how  offensive  an  odor  he  earned  with  him,  and 
how  disagreeable  to  the  nostrils  of  his  fair  fiiends 
is  his  breath  constantly  blown  into  their  faces. 
We  have  heard  bitter  complaints  from  ladies  in 
regard  to  this  thing. 

Smoking  is  vulgar  enough,  but  smoking  in  the 
street  is  rarely  practised,  except  by  persons  of 
low  habits. 

As  to  the  habit  of  drinking,  little  more  is  ne- 
cessary than  to  condemn  it  as  a very  bad  habit. 
There  has  been  so  much  said  and  written  on  the 
subject  within  the  last  few  years,  that  every  one 
must  understand  its  merits  by  this  time.  The 
fact  that  it  does  not  conduce  to  health,  and  is  an 
exceedingly  dangerous  habit,  would  be  sufficient 
in  themselves  to  condemn  it,  were  not  the  sad 
evidences  of  its  direful  consequences  scattered  so 
thickly  around  us. 

The  practice  of  swearing  is  another  habit 
among  young  men,  and  certainly  a very  weak 
and  foolish  one,  to  say  nothing  of  its  profanity. 
The  worst  part  of  it  is  the  frequent  taking  of  the 
Lord’s  name  in  vain,  which  is  expressly  forbidden 
by  God  himself.  Does  it  not  seem  strange  that 
a man  should  speak  lightly,  irreverently,  and 
often  bl  isphemously  of  the  Being  who  created 


BAD  HABITS. 


203 


him.  and  who  sus.  ains  him  every  moment  of  his 
life,  from  whom  he  has  every  blessing  he  enjoys, 
and  wrho  is  ever  seeking  his  good?  Such  a one 
will  speak  indignantly  of  the  ingratitude  of 
another ; but  what  ingratitude  is  greater  than 
his! 

A young  man  who  has  a proper  respect  for 
himself  will  never  swear.  The  habit  is  so  en- 
tirely useless,  and  the  language  so  offensive  to 
religion,  morality,  and  good  taste,  that  he  will 
avoid  it  naturally.  Whenever  a young  man  is 
heard  to  use  these  vulgar  and  profane  expletives, 
it  is  a sure  sign  that  he  has  been  keeping  low 
company ; for  in  none  other  do  they  commonly 
prevail. 

■’*  Besides  the  three  bad  habits  named,  some 
young  men  fall  into  the  practice  of  using  the 
slang  phrases  common  to  the  lowest  classes  of 
society.  For  this  there  is  no  excuse  in  the 
world.  The  practice  might  be  gravely  argued 
against,  and  its  evils  shown ; but  that  would  be 
treating  it  with  too  much  seriousness.  The  best 
corrective  of  it  is  a simple  declaration  of  the  fact, 
that  the  habit  is  exceedingly  offensive  to  good 
taste,  and  that  a young  man,  who  is  so  silly  as 
to  make  use  of  “slang”  in  good  society,  is  at 
once  set  down  as  low-minded  and  vulgar. 


204 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


A young  man  who  had,  in  the  earlier  years  of 
his  life,  been  brought  into  association  with  persons 
of  little  refinement,  who  thought  it  smart  to  ex- 
press their  feeble  ideas  in  slang  phrases,  naturally 
fell  into  the  bad  habit.  As  he  grew  older,  and 
was  thrown  among  refined  people,  he  became  ob- 
servant, and  saw,  by  contrast,  the  silliness  of  a 
mode  of  speaking  which  associated  even  refined 
and  pure  ideas,  with  coarse  images,  or  vulgar  say- 
ings; and  so  determined  to  correct  in  himself, 
what  his  judgment  condemned.  But  he  did  not 
find  this  a very  easy  matter.  He  had  become  so 
accustomed  to  the  use  of  certain  words,  that  they 
were  forever  coming  to  his  lips,  and  indicating  to 
others  a low  vein  of  sentiment  which  did  not 
really  exist.  ’ * 

He  was  what  is  sometimes  called  a rising  young 
man ; and  he  was  rising  in  even  a higher  sense  than 
the  words  usually  indicate — rising  in  mental  and 
moral  progress,  as  well  as  in  worldly  things.  In 
consequence,  he  was  becoming  gradually  intro- 
duced among  people  whose  social  rank  was  above 
the  one  he  had  occupied  when  first  entering  the 
world  as  a man  ; and  where  the  tastes,  refinements, 
and  social  proprieties  of  life  are  more  observed  and 
regarded. 

And  now,  in  spite  of  his  watchfulness  over 
himself,  he  would,  every  now  and  then,  shock  the 


BAD  HABITS. 


205 


ears  of  some  lady  or  gentleman  who  had  become 
interested  in  him,  by  a word  that  betrayed  the 
character  of  his  early  slang-talking  associates. 

In  this  refined  circle,  to  which  his  real  merit 
gave  him  a welcome  entrance,  he  met  a young 
lady  of  beauty,  accomplishments,  and  great  moral 
worth,  who  interested  him  from  the  first  moment 
of  their  acquaintance.  The  favorable  impression 
was  mutual;  but  it  remained  only  upon  one  side. 
The  young  lady’s  estimation  of  the  man  who  in- 
terested her  in  the  beginning,  underwent  a change. 
Wherefore,  this  brief  conversation  with  a friend 
will  explain. 

“ How  do  you  like  Mr.  W ?”  asked  this 

friend,  alluding  to  the  young  man. 

“ He  is  quite  intelligent,”  was  the  simple  an- 
swer. 

“ So  I find  him  : intelligent  beyond  the  men 
we  ordinarily  meet.  And  handsome,”  said  the 
friend. 

“A  fine  looking  man,  certainly:  but .” 

“What?” 

“ He  hasn’t  always  kept  good  company.” 

“ How  do  you  know  ?” 

“ He  betrays,  now  and  then,  an  acquaintance 
with  terms  and  phrases  that  always  offend  good 
taste.” 

“ Ah,  yes,  now  that  you  speak  of  it  ” said  the 


206 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


friend,  11 1 remember  having  remarked  as  much 
myself.  Why,  he  uses,  at  times,  down-right 
slang  !” 

“ I know  he  does.  At  Mrs.  L \s  last  week 

while  he  was  talking  earnestly,  he  let  drop  the 
words,  c It’s  all  in  my  eye/  and  again,  ‘ He  came 
up  missing/  aud  then  to  my  horror,  certain  in- 
dividuals about  whom  he  was  speaking  were 
‘ small  potatoes  P He  saw  that  I was  sur- 
prised at  this  last  slip  of  the  tongue,  and  colored 
deeply.” 

u What  a pity  V*  remarked  the  friend. 

“ It  is,  certainly,  a pity  that  one  with  so  many 
excellencies  should  have  such  a blemish.  Slang 
is  and  ever  has  been  particularly  offensive  to  me. 
I always  regard  it  as  the  sign  of  innate  vul- 
garity.” 

“ I do  not  think  Mr.  W innately  vulgar  by 

any  means,”  said  the  other.  11  On  the  contrary 
there  is  an  air  of  innate  refinement  about  him.” 

“ So  there  is,  taking  him  in  the  general ; but 
this  slang  is  the  hand  writing  on  the  wall  against 
him  so  far  as  I am  concerned.  Yhu  may  call  it  a 
weakness  on  my  part,  if  you  will;  but  I cannot 
help  it.  The  moment  a gentleman  or  lady  in- 
dulges in  slang  phrases,  that  moment  I feel  my- 
self removed  to  a distance.  We  can  never  be 
intimate  friends.” 


BAD  HABITS. 


207 


The  young  lady  was  in  earnest,  and  steadily  re- 
pelled all  advances  from  W , whose  feelings 

had  become  much  interested  in  her.  The  reason 
of  her  coldness  he  never  knew.  But  the  barrier 
between  them  was  a little  habit,  which  had  fixed 
itself  so  firmly  that  he  was  not  able  to  break 
wholly  free  from  its  tenacious  hold.  He  was, 
really,  as  refined  in  heart  as  this  lady;  and  as  true 
a man  as  she  was  a woman.  They  were  worthy 
of  each  other.  And  yet,  he  hung  out  a sign  of 
vulgarity,  and  she  mistook  it  for  the  index  of  a 
vulgar  quality  with  which  she  could  have  no  in- 
timate fellowship. 

But  there  is  a habit  which  stands  more  in  a 
young  man’s  way  than  the  light  one  of  using  cant 
and  slang ; a habit  that  has  marred  the  opening 
fortunes  of  thousands  upon  thousands.  "VVe  do 
not  mean  the  habit  of  drinking — that  terrible 
curse — but  the  habit  of  chewing  and  smoking 
tobacco.  Of  this  vice  we  have  already  expressed 
an  opinion.  We  refer  to  it  again,  as  we  referred 
to  the  use  of  slang  phrases,  in  order  to  make  ap- 
parent some  of  the  ways  in  which  it  acts  inversely 
to  a young  man’s  interests  in  life. 

Edward  T , aged  twenty,  was  anxious  tc 

get  a situation  that  offered  in  a dry  goods  store, 
and  asked  a friend  of  his  family  to  speak  to  the 
owner  of  the  store  about  him. 


208 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


il  1 am  particular  about  my  young  men/'  said 
the  storekeeper.  “ What  do  you  know  of  Edward 
T V ’ 

“ He’s  all  right,  I believe,”  was  the  answer, 
u I’ve  known  him  for  several  years.” 
u Tell  him  to  call  and  see  me.” 

So  Edward  called,  and  mentioned  his  name. 

“ Ah,  yes  !”  said  the  storekeeper.  11  Mr.  L 

spoke  to  me  about  you.” 

The  young  man  took  off  his  hat,  and  a cigar  fell 
from  it  to  the  floor.  He  did  not  see  the  contrac- 
tion of  the  merchant’s  brow  as  he  stooped  to  pick 
it  up.  The  decision  was  against  him.  Only  a few 
questions  were  asked. 

“ I will  see  Mr.  L about  you  in  a day  or 

two,”  said  the  storekeeper,  “ and  let  him  know 
whether  you  will  suit  me.  But  don’t  depend  on 
the  place.  There  are  two  or  three  applicants.” 

“ He  will  not  suit  me,  Mr.  L .”  The  friend 

of  Edward  met  the  storekeeper  on  the  next  day, 
and  this  was  the  answer  he  received. 

“ Why  not  ?”  was  enquired. 

“ I do  not  wish  to  hurt  the  young  man’s  feel- 
ings, and  you  need  not  repeat  my  objection,  unless 
you  think  it  may  be  of  use  to  him.  But  young 
men  with  the  habit  he  has  acquired,  rarely  get  the 
mastery  over  it.” 

“ What  habit  ?”  asked  the  friend. 


BAD  HABITS. 


209 


u The  habit  of  smoking  and  chewing  I may 
be  peculiar  and  over-exacting  in  regard  to  the 
qualifications  of  my  young  men ; but  I claim  the 
privilege  of  having  things  in  my  own  establish- 
ment to  suit  myself.  I will  not  have  a tobacco 
chewer  about  me.  My  floors  shall  at  least  be  free 
from  this  defilement,  and  my  customers  spared  the 
annoyance  of  having  their  stomachs  turned  by  the 
segar-laden  breath  of  a clerk.  And  beyond  this 
disgusting  objection  lies  another  and  a serious  one. 
Young  men  who  use  tobacco,  are  apt  to  fall  into 
the  habit  of  visiting  segar  stores,  and  lingering 
about  them.  There  is  danger  in  this  of  forming 
associations  that  may  lead  astray  from  good 
morals;  for  there  are,  in  all  communities,  idle  or 
vicious  men,  who  hang  loosely  on  society  ; and 
some  of  these  are  very  apt  to  be  found  wasting 
their  time,  or  on  the  look  out  for  prey,  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  segar  shops  and  drinking  saloons,  which 
stand  usually  in  very  close  proximity  to  each 
other.  So  you  see,  I am  not  governed  by  any 
hasty  prejudice.  I look  upon  the  matter  from  my 
own  stand  point,  and,  right  or  wrong,  let  my  con- 
victions form  my  own  rule  of  conduct.” 

And  so  Edward  T lost  an  opportunity 

that  might  have  been  the  first  upward  stej  to  for- 
tune ; for  the  place  he  wished  to  secure  was  in 
every  way  desirable,  the  merchant  being  a man  of 
14 


210 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


wealth,  with  a large  business,  and  known  to  be 
liberal  in  his  views  toward  young  men,  if  he  dis- 
covered in  them  the  right  business  and  moral 
qualities. 

In  another  case,  the  decision  against  a young 
man,  who,  in  all  other  respects,  suited  his  employ- 
ers, was  made,  on  the  ground  of  his  excessive  use 
of  tobacco.  An  unusually  dull  season  led  the 
house  of  Messrs.  R, J , & Co.,  to  a con- 

sideration of  the  propriety  of  reducing  their  large 
expenses,  and  on  a conference  of  the  principal 
members  of  the  firm,  it  was  resolved  to  dispense 
with  the  services  of  a salesman,  a book-keeper,  and 
two  lads  who  had  recently  come  into  the  store. 
There  was  no  question  as  to  which  of  the  book- 
keepers it  was  advisable  to  discharge  ) but  the  de- 
cision was  not  so  easy  when  the  salesmen  were 
referred  to.  The  selection  narrowed  itself  down 
to  two  young  men,  both  competent,  and  one  in 
some  respects  a better  salesman  than  the  other. 
His  name  was  Philip  L . He  had  been  mar- 

ried for  two  or  three  years,  and  his  family  con- 
sisted of  a wife  and  one  child. 

“ Which  of  these  two  young  men  shall  we  re- 
tain, Philip  or  Edward  ?” 

This  was  the  question  to  be  decided. 

“ Philip  is  an  excellent  salesman,”  said  one  of 
the  partners. 


BAD  HABITS. 


211 


<(  And  so  is  Edward/’  remarked  another. 

“ Yes,  both  are  competent  young  men,  but  Philip 
is,  if  anything,  the  superior.” 

“ But  one  serious  objection  lies  against  him.” 

“ What  ?” 

“ His  excessive  and  disgusting  use  of  tobacco.” 

To  this  all  assented. 

“ He  has  become  to  me,”  skid  the  last  speaker, 
tl  really  offensive.  He  fairly  smells  of  tobacco. 
It  seems  to  ooze  through  the  pores  of  his  skin. 
The  juice  is  squirted  about,  here,  and  there,  and 
everywhere,  or  collected  in  teeming  spittoons. 
You  see  it  stealing  down  from  the  corners  of  his 
mouth.  It  stains  his  lips,  and  pollutes  his  breath. 
He  cannot  but  affect,  with  disgust,  many  cus- 
tomers.” 

“ All  too  true,”  was  the  general  assent  to  this. 

“ Now,  Edward,”  he  went  on,  “ is  a gentleman, 
so  far  as  offensive  habits  are  concerned.  He 
neither  chews  nor  smokes.  I have  always  liked 
him  on  this  very  account.” 

“ So  have  I,”  and 

“ So  have  I,”  went  from  lip  to  lip. 

“ Then  we  will  retain  Edward,  and  let  Philip 

go.” 

“ Philip  has  a family — Edward  is  single,”  was 
suggested. 

And  then  the  matter  was  discussed  anew,  and 


212 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


with  reference  to  the  young  man’s  position  in  life. 
But  the  disgusting  vice  was  against  him.  It  had 
always  been  a source  of  annoyance  to  the  leading 
members  of  the  firm,  who  did  not  use  tobacco  in 
any  shape.  Finally,  it  was  decided  to  dispense 

with  the  services  of  Philip  L , and  he  was 

thrown  out  of  a good  situation,  at  a time  when  it 
was  almost  impossible  to  obtain  employment.  Five 
years  afterwards,  Edward  was  taken  into  the  firm 
as  a partner — Philip  is  still  only  a salesman  on  a 
moderate  salary.  Tobacco  had  ruined  his  pros- 
pects. 

We  might  go  on,  adding  instance  after  instance, 
in  which  the  habit  we  are  condemning  has 
acted  as  a bar  to  advancement.  Young  men, 
wrapped  up  in  their  own  individuality,  and  wedded 
to  a self-indulgence,  can  hardly  appreciate  the 
repulsive  sentiments  they  often  inspire  in  the 
minds  of  good  and  influential  men,  who  have  it 
in  their  power  to  aid  them  at  just  the  point  where 
a helping  hand  is  most  needed,  but  ye  have  given 
two  suggestive  illustrations,  and  they  must  suf- 
fice. 

It  will  never  be  known  in  how  many  thousands 
of  instances,  this  bad  habit  of  using  tobacco  has 
stood  in  the  way  of  marriage  alliances.  A suit, 
pressed  earnestly,  meets  with  a rejection.  Why  ? 
The  lady  need  not  give  her  reason.  But  some- 


BAD  HABITS. 


213 


thing  in  the  lover  has  not  come  up  to  her  ideal  of 
a husband.  She  wants  a free,  rational  mind  to 
mate  with  her  mind,  not  one  that  slumbers  dream- 
ily in  the  thrall  of  a sensual  habit.  She  wants  a 
man,  not  a slave.  And  so,  as  the  lover  advances, 
she  recedes.  Or  it  may  be  that  her  heart  has  be- 
come interested.  She  has  passed  through  a strong 
conflict,  and  in  pain  and  bitterness  of  spirit,  averts 
her  face,  and  resolves  to  walk  life’s  path  alone, 
rather  than  in  soul-companionship  with  one  who 
has  married  himself  to  a vice  from  which  few  ever 
disenthral  themselves. 

Do  not  think  lightly  of  a woman  of  this  reflect- 
ive, deliberate,  resolute  character,  nor  say  that,  if 
a young  lady  doesn’t  choose  to  take  you  as  you  are, 
why  the  loss  is  hers.  That  is  a weakness  unwor- 
thy of  you.  A woman  with  thought,  decision, 
and  a spirit  of  self-denial  like  this,  is  a true  wo- 
man, and  worth  a hundred  of  your  pliant  girls, 
who  are  ready  to  take  you  at  a word,  segars  and 
all,  and  think  themselves  fortunate.  What  is  a 
segar,  or  your  favorite  tobacco,  to  the  life-compan- 
ionship of  a true,  wise,  good,  and  loving  woman  ? 

If  you  cannot  put  them  aside — if  the  filthy 
habit  that  would  be  a daily  offence  to  her  is  dearer 
to  you  than  her  love — blame  her  not  if  she  turn 
away,  though  it  be  in  sadness  and  tears. 


214 


ADVICE  TO  YOUN«  MEN 


CHAPTER  XX. 

HEALTH 

Late  hours,  irregular  habits,  and  want  of 
attention  to  diet,  are  common  errors  with  most 
young  men,  and  these  gradually,  but  at  first  im- 
perceptibly, undermine  the  health,  and  lay  the 
foundation  for  various  forms  of  disease  in  after 
life.  It  is  a very  difficult  thing  to  make  young 
persons  comprehend  this.  They  sit  up  as  late 
as  twelve,  one,  and  two  o’clock,  frequently,  with- 
out experiencing  any  ill  effects ; they  go  without 
a meal  to-day,  and  to-morrow  eat  to  repletion, 
with  only  temporary  inconvenience.  One  night 
they  will  sleep  three  or  four  hours,  and  the  next 
nine  or  ten ; or  one  night,  in  their  eagerness  to 
get  away  into  some  agreeable  company,  they  will 
take  no  food  at  all,  and  the  next,  perhaps,  will  eat 
a hearty  oyster  supper,  and  go  to  bed  upon  it. 
These,  with  various  other  irregularities,  are  com- 
mon to  the  majority  of  young  men,  and  are,  as 
just  stated,  the  cause  of  much  bad  health  in 
mature  life.  Indeed,  nearly  all  the  shatteiod  con- 
stitutions, with  which  too  many  are  cursed,  are 


HEALTH. 


215 


the  result  of  a disregard  to  the  plainest  precepts 
of  health  in  early  life. 

As  health  is  the  indispensable  prerequisite  to 
a proper  discharge  of  the  duties  of  life,  every 
man  is  under  obligation  to  society  not  to  do  any 
thing,  which,  Ky  producing  a diseased  condition 
of  thejaody,  renders  him  unfit  to  attend  efficient- 
ly to  his  work  or  office.  This  is  the  view  that 
we  are  anxious  to  impress  upon  the  minds  of 
those  for  whom  we  write.  Although  a man, 
feeling  and  thinking  altogether  from  self,  may 
imagine  that  he  “ is  his  own  man,”  as  some  ex- 
press it,  and  therefore  at  liberty  to  do  with  him- 
self as  he  pleases,  a little  reflection  must  lead 
him  to  see  that  this  is  a great  error.  No  man 
stands  alone  in  society,  or  can  be  independent  of 
others.  Each  forms  a part  of  the  great  social 
body,  and  must  faithfully  and  diligently  do  what 
he  can  for  the  common  good.  There  exists  in 
society  a community  of  interests,  and  each  works 
for  the  whole,  whether  he  designs  to  do  so  or  not. 
The  farmer  tills  the  soil,  and  draws  therefrom  his 
abundant  harvests  of  grain  and  other  products 
meet  for  the  sustenance  of  man  and  beast.  But  it 
is  not  for  himself,  and  those  immediately  depend- 
ent upon  him,  that  his  fields  are  rich  with  grain; 
they  could  not  consume  the  product  of  one  year 
in  ten  or  twenty  years.  No ; his  work  is  for  the 


216 


ADVICE  TO  YOU  NO  MEN. 


whole,  and  he  receives  his  proportion  f'om  the 
labor  of  the  whole.  The  manufacturer  cannot 
wear  the  hundreds  and  thousan€s  of  yards  that 
are  produced  by  his  looms  in  any  year ; they  go 
to  clothe  the  whole  community.  The  builder 
can  occupy  but  one  house;  and  yet  he  builds 
many.  The  handiwork  of  the  artisan  is  nearly 
all  for  the  comfort,  convenience,  and  luxury  of 
others.  While  thus  we  see  that  every  man  labors 
for  the  good  of  the  whole,  we  find  that  every  man 
receives  back  from  the  labor  of  the  whole  all  he 
requires  for  health  and  comfort.  It  is  the  labor  of 
others  that  produces  the  clothes  that  warm  and 
protect  him,  the  food  that  he  eats,  the  house  that 
he  lives  in,  and  the  furniture  that  makes  that  house 
convenient  and  comfortable  for  himself  and  fam- 
ily. It  is  rarely,  indeed,  that  his  own  hands 
produce  any  of  the  things  absolutely  essential 
to  life,  health,  and  comfort. 

Bearing  this  in  mind,  it  can  easily  be  seen  that 
no  man  has  a right  to  abuse  his  health,  and  thus 
lessen  his  ability  to  do  his  part  in  society  for  the 
common  good  What  one  man  has  a natural  and 
absolute  right  to  do,  that  is  the  inalienable  right 
of  all ; and  if  one  man  has  a right  to  abuse  his 
health,  regardless  of  its  effect  upon  others,  every 
one  has  a right  to  do  so.  But,  were  all  to  sacri- 
fice health  to  pleasure,  all  agricultural  labors,  all 
manufacturing  and  mechanic  arts,  would  be  im- 


HEALTH. 


217 


perfectly  done,  and  the  whole  community  would 
suffer.  Or,  if  all  who  tilled  the  ground  were  to 
destroy  their  ability  to  labor  steadily  by  irregu 
iarities  of  life,  while  the  manufacturer  and  the 
artisan  pursued  their  work  with  vigorous  health, 
a great  wrong  would  be  done  to  the  latter.  They 
would  give  to  the  farmer  clothes,  and  the  various 
utensils  needed  by  him  in  the  house  or  field, 
while  he  would  return  them  but  scanty  food,  and 
that,  perhaps,  poor  in  quality.  What  is  true  of 
the  whole  is  true  of  the  part;  and  therefore,  if 
it  be  wrong  for  the  whole  community  to  lead 
irregular  lives  to  the  destruction  of  health  and 
the  ability  to  perform  those  uses  necessary  to  the 
well-being  of  the  whole  human  race,  it  is  wrong 
for  any  individual  to  do  so;  for  every  failure  or* 
his  part  to  work  to  the  extent  of  his  ability  as 
healthy  man,  is  an  injury  to  some  other  mem  bey 
of  the  common  body.  This  is  an  immutak  v 
law. 

Regarding  the  subject  in  this  point  of  viev* 
every  young  man  who  reflects  at  all,  and  who  ii 
not  so  thoroughly  wedded  to  self  as  to  be  utterl) 
indifferent  to  the  well-being  of  others,  will  see 
that  he  is  under  a solemn  obligation  to  seek  the 
preservation  of  his  health  in  order  that  he  may  be 
able  to  do  his  part  for  the  common  good.  Tc 
act  fr  >ir  this  end  is  to  act  wisely  and  nobly. 


218 


ADVICE  TO  YOLNG  MEN. 


But,  as  there  are  few,  if  any,  in  this  thoroughly 
selfish  age,  who  can  or  will  thus  act,  considera- 
tions of  another,  though  less  exalted  kind,  must 
be  urged  upon  young  men,  in  order  to  make  them 
see  the  necessity  of  preserving  their  health.  But 
before  doing  so,  it  may  be  necessary  to  repeat 
the  declaration  with  which  we  set  out,  — that  late 
hours,  irregular  habits,  and  inattention  to  diet, 
will  certainly  undermine  the  health,  and  lay  the 
foundation  for  diseased  conditions  in  after  life. 
The  effect  will  be  various  in  different  constitu- 
tions. One  may  destroy  the  healthy  tone  of  his 
stomach,  and  become,  for  the  best  half  of  his  life 
a miserable  dyspeptic ; — thus,  for  a few  years  of 
inordinate  indulgence  in  the  pleasures  of  the  table, 
be  obliged  to  pay  the  penalty  of  abstinence  from 
nearly  all  generous  and  palatable  food,  and  suffer 
from  the  entire  derangement  of  every  healthy 
organ  in  his  system.  The  inability  to  perform 
perfectly  the  work  of  his  office  will  not  only  in- 
jure the  community,  but  himself;  for  it  is  a law  in 
the  social  economy,  that  he  who  contributes  most 
to  the  common  stock  shall  receive  most  in  re- 
turn. To  bodily  sufferings  of  a most  distressing 
kind  will  therefore  be  added  the  deficiencies  of 
worldly  goods,  arising  from  unequal  and  unsus- 
tained exertions.  Another,  inheriting  a predis- 
posifc  ?n  to  diseases  of  the  chest,  may  so  weaken 


HEALTH. 


219 


and  disturb  the  vital  forces  by  irregularities  and 
excesses,  as  to  render  the  lungs  highly  susceptible 
to  all  disturbing  causes,  and  find  all  his  hopes 
and  energies  blasted  just  in  the  prime  of  life, 
by  the  development  of  an  incurable  pulmonary 
disease;  while  another  may  so  shatter  his  nerv- 
ous system  as  to  be  unable  to  bear  any  business 
excitement,  any  prolonged  effort,  or  any  exposure 
or  fatigue  whatever,  at  a time  when  all  these 
are  absolutely  necessary  to  the  sustenance  of  a 
?amily. 

As  every  one  inherits  from  his  parents  predis- 
positions to  diseases  of  body,  as  well  as  to  dis- 
eases of  the  mind,  the  health  of  the  one,  as  well 
as  the  other,  depends  upon  an  obedience  to  just 
laws,  both  physical  and  moral.  Whoever  violates 
these  inevitably  entails  upon  himself  disabilities 
and  sufferings;  and  the  earlier  in  life  this  is  done, 
the  deeper  will  be  the  impression  made,  and  the 
more  lasting  its  injurious  consequences. 

Let  every  young  man,  therefore,  pay  strict  re- 
gard to  his  health.  Let  him  be  temperate  in 
eating  and  drinking,  and  regular  in  all  his  habits. 
And  let  him  also  see  that  he  does  not  suffer  him- 
self to  indulge  in  any  evil  passions  of  the  mind,  as 
anger,  malice,  jealousy,  envy,  revenge,  or  any  in- 
ordinate desires;  for  these  are  as  fatal  to  health 
as  abuses  of  the  t ody,  and  do,  in  reality  lead  to 


220 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


these  latter  abuses  almost  inevitably.  In  fact 
the  cause  of  all  the  irregularities  of  youth  are  in 
the  mind.  Let  a young  man,  then,  keep  his  de- 
sires, his  appetites,  and  his  passions,  under  proper 
subjection,  and  he  will  be  in  no  danger  of  running 
into  those  excesses  which  sow  in  his  physical  sys- 
tem the  seeds  of  all  diseases. 

While  on  the  subject  of  health  we  cannot  close 
without  a few  words  in  reference  to  the  deleterious 
effects  of  tobacco  on  the  human  system.  It  is 
now  pretty  well  conceded  by  medical  men,  that 
no  one  who  uses  tobacco  in  any  form,  can  be  in 
the  enjoyment  of  perfect  health  ; and  the  testi- 
mony of  the  profession  as  to  its  injurious  action, 
is  of  a character  to  startle  and  alarm  every  one 
who  has  become  wedded  to  the  habit  of  smoking 
or  chewing.  In  order  to  impress  the  minds  of 
all  young  men  who  read  these  pages  with  the  im- 
portance of  this  subject,  we  subjoin  the  testimony 
of  some  eminent  medical  men,  and  ask  their 
thoughtful  consideration  of  the  facts  educed. 

The  following  extract  is  from  a paper  on  the 
“ Effects  of  Tobacco  on  Europeans  in  India/7  by 
James  Ranald  Martin,  Esq.,  in  the  London  Lancet 
of  28th  February,  1857  : — 

“It  is  matter  of  constant  observation  amongst 
army  surgeons,  ever  since  the  peace  of  1815,  that 
the  habit  of  segar-smoking,  introduced  into  this 


HEALTH. 


221 


country  from  Portugal,  Spain,  and  France,  by  the 
officers  of  the  British  army,  has  produced  a greater 
amount  of  pale,  sallow  complexions,  amongst  young 
officers  more  especially,  than  had  ever  before  been 
observed  as  resulting  from  any  other  cause.  Had 
the  morbid  complexion  been  all,  the  matter  would 
have  been  of  little  importance ; but  here  it  gen- 
erally means  loss  of  appetite,  defective  nutrition, 
anaemia,  and  disordered  nervous  and  vascular 
functions,  all  in  the  same  individual.  My  obser 
vations  lead  me  altogether  to  the  conclusions  of 
Van  Praag,  that  the  operation  of  tobacco  is  at  first 
stimulant,  and  at  last  depressing,  not  only  in  the 
circulation  and  respiration,  but  also  on  the  nervous 
system;  accelerated  circulation,  increase  of  re- 
spiratory movements,  and  excessive  irritation  of 
the  muscular  system,  being  the  phenomena  first 
observed.  The  concluding  symptoms  are  those 
of  general  depression,  both  of  animal  and  organic 
life,  with  occasional  instances  of  moral  and  phy- 
sical impotency,  accompanied  by  the  most  mourn- 
ful results.  I am  here  speaking  of  what  I have 
witnessed. 

“ The  most  ordinary  results  of  excessive  use 
of  tobacco  are — the  most  severe  forms  of  irritable 
dyspepsia,  giddiness,  disturbed  action  of  the  heart, 
nervous  tremors,  and  cachexia,  all  amounting  oc- 
casionally to  palsy.  Young  gentlemen  who  are  in 


222 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN 


the  habit  of  1 putting  an  enemy  into  their  mouths 
to  steal  away  their  brains/  do  not  become  aware 
of  these  facts  until  it  sometimes  becomes  too  late. 
A highly  scientific  and  distinguished  captain  of 
engineers  of  the  Indian  army  told  me — ‘ All  the 
young  fellows  of  my  term  who  went  out  to  India, 
having  bad  habits,  are  dead,  excepting  two/ 
And  what  has  become  of  them  ? c They  were 
cashiered  !'  Here  the  question  of  tobacco  was  not 
immediately  in  contemplation  ; but  I have  no 
doubt  whatever,  from  the  results  of  my  observa- 
tions in  India  and  at  home,  that  of  the  habits 
which  led  to  this  sad  end,  the  abuse  of  tobacco 
was,  amongst  these  young  officers,  the  most  bane- 
fully  influential. 

“ I dispute  the  alleged  benefits  of  even  moderate 
tobacco  smoking  as  a preventive  of  damp  or  of 
malaria  ; and  seriously  anomalous  symptoms  I have 
seen  to  arise,  in  the  progress  of  malarious  fevers, 
from  the  abuse  of  it — such  symptoms  as  may  lead 
to  the  most  grave  mistakes  in  the  treatment  of 
fevers,  if  the  medical  officer  be  not  careful  to  in- 
quire into  the  habits  of  his  patient.  Of  this  also 
I have  seen  the  most  emphatic  examples.  Those 
who  urge  the  prophylactic  benefits  of  tobacco, 
carry  the  habit  from  the  swamps  of  Burmah  into 
the  arid  plains  of  Hindostan,  in  defiance  of  geo- 
graphical differences. 


HEALTH. 


223 


u I can  state  of  my  own  observatior , that  the 
miseries,  mental  and  bodily,  which  I have  wit- 
nessed from  the  abuse  of  segar-smoking,  and 
chiefly  in  young  men,  far  exceeded  anything  de- 
tailed in  the  1 Confessions  of  an  Opium  Eater  f 
and  I feel  assured  that  the  abuse  of  tobacco,  how- 
ever employed,  may  be  classified  amongst  those 
habits  which  produce  chronic  poisoning.” 

The  following  extract  is  from  the  article,  u Is 
Smoking  Injurious?”  in  the  London  Lancet  of 
31st  January,  1857,  by  Dr.  Johnson  : — 

“ What  is  the  testimony  of  facts  ? Why,  for 
one  inveterate  smoker  who  will  bear  testimony 
favorable  to  the  practice,  ninety-nine  such,  of  the 
candid  of  these,  are  found  to  declare  their  belief 
that  this  practice  is  injurious ; and  I scarcely  ever 
yet  met  with  one  habitual  smoker  who  did  not,  in 
his  candid  moments,  regret  his  commencement  of 
the  habit. 

u A few  weeks  since,  I was  summoned  to  attend 
a gentleman  in  the  country.  On  my  arrival  I 
found  him  complaining  of  headache,  nausea,  lan- 
guor, loss  of  appetite  and  sleep,  and  inability  to 
rise  in  the  morning ; his  expression  was  anxious, 
haggard,  and  nervous  ; his  complexion  sallow  and 
jaundice  looking;  his  tongue  highly  furred,  and 
teeth  incrustcd  with  a dirty  greenish-yellow  de- 
posit ; his  breath,  which  was  exceedingly  offensive 


224 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


from  the  odor  of  tobacco,  revealed  to  my  mind  the 
nature  of  the  evil.  On  my  inquiry,  he  informed 
me  that  for  many  years  he  had  indulged  rather 
freely  in  the  use  of  tobacco,  declaring,  at  the  same 
time,  that  ever  since  his  apprenticeship  to  smo- 
king, the  pernicious  habit  had  gradually  and  insid- 
iously crept  upon  him,  till  at  length  it  became 
confirmed.  I persuaded  him  to  desist  from  its  in- 
dulgence, and  succeeded;  but  he  found  the  task 
a terrible  one,  so  enslaving  is  the  habit.  After  a 
short  time,  however,  he  succeeded  in  conquering 
the  appetite.  Many  of  the  symptoms  have 
entirely  disappeared,  and  he  is  now  considerably 
improved.  Is  not  this  case,  in  the  experience 
of  most  medical  men,  the  type  of  thousands 
more  ? 

“ It  is  a certain  fact,  that  devoted  smokers  are 
liable  to  both  constitutional  and  local  disorders  of 
very  serious  characters.  Among  the  former,  we 
notice  giddiness,  sickness,  vomiting,  dyspepsia, 
diarrhoea,  angina  pectoris,  diseases  of  the  liver, 
pancreas,  and  heart ; nervousness,  amaurosis, 
paralysis,  apoplexy,  atrophy,  deafness,  and  ma- 
nia. Amongst  the  latter,  ulceration  of  the 
lips,  ulceration  of  gums,  cheeks,  mucous  membrane 
of  the  mouth,  tonsils,  throat,  etc. 

“ Most  of  these  results  I have  selected  from 
authors  of  some  locus  standi — amongst  whom  I 


HEALTH. 


225 


may  mention  Drs.  Prout,  Bright,  Laycock,  Rad- 
ciiflfe,  and  Ranking,  Pereira,  Orfila,  Trousseau, 
Johnstone,  Sir  B.  Brodie,  and  Professor  Lizars. 
Dr.  Taylor,  in  his  valuable  work  on  poisons  says  : 
— ‘ That  a poisonous  substance  like  tobacco,  whe- 
ther in  powder,  juice,  or  vapor,  cannot  be  brought 
in  contact  with  an  absorbing  surface  like  mucous 
membrane,  without  in  many  cases  producing  dis- 
order of  the  system,  which  the  consumer  probably 
is  quite  ready  to  attribute  to  any  other  cause  than 
that  which  would  render  it  necessary  for  him  to  de- 
prive himself  of  what  he  considers  not  merely  as 
a luxury,  but  an  article  actually  necessary  to  his 
existence/  ” ' 

“ Sir  B.  Brodie  states  in  his  Physiological  Re- 
searches, published  in  1851,  under  Effects  of  Ve- 
getable Poisons : ‘ We  may  conclude  from  these 
experiments,  that  the  empyreumatic  oil  of  tobacco 
occasions  death,  by  destroying  the  functions  of  the 
brain,  without  directly  acting  on  the  circulation. 
In  other  words,  its  effects  are  similar  to  those  of 
alcohol,  the  juice  of  aconite,  and  the  essential  oil 
of  almonds.” 

The  injurious  properties  of  tobacco  are  deter- 
mined by  the  following  analysis  of  its  chemical 
constituents  by  Professor  Johnston,  of  Durham, 
in  his  Chemistry  of  Common  Life  : u These  are 
three  in  number  : a volatile  oil,  a volatile  alkali, 
15 


226 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


and  an  erapyreumatic  oil The  vola- 

tile oil  has  the  odor  of  tobacco,  and  possesses  a 
bitter  taste.  On  the  mouth  and  throat  it  produces 
a sensation  similar  to  that  caused  by  tobacco 
smoke.  When  applied  to  the  nose,  it  occasions 
sneezing,  and  when  taken  internally,  it  gives  rise 
to  giddiness,  nausea,  and  an  inclination  to  vomit. 
The  volatile  alkali  has  the  odor  of  tobacco,  an 
acrid,  burning,  long-continuing  tobacco  taste,  and 
possesses  narcotic  and  very  poisonous  qualities. 
In  this  latter  respect,  it  is  scarcely  inferior  to  prus- 
sic acid — a single  drop  being  sufficient  to  kill  a 
dog.  Its  vapor  is  so  irritating,  that  it  is  difficult 
to  breathe  in  a room  in  which  a single  drop  has 
been  evaporated.  The  reader  may  recollect  the 
great  sensation  produced  in  1851,  by  the  trial  of 
the  Comte  de  Bocarm6,  at  Mons,  and  his  subse- 
quent execution,  for  poisoning  his  brother-in-law 
with  nicotin.  A hundred  pounds  of  the  dry  to- 
bacco-leaf yield  about  seven  pounds  of  nicotin. 
In  smoking  a hundred  grains  of  tobacco,  there- 
fore, say  a quarter  of  an  ounce,  there  may  be 
drawn  into  the  mouth  two  grains  or  more  of  one  of 
the  most  subtle  of  all  known  poisons.  The  empy- 
reumatic  oil  is  acrid  and  disagreeable  to  the  taste, 
narcotic,  and  poisonous.  One  drop  applied  to  the 
tongue  of  a cat  brought  on  convulsions,  and  in 
two  minutes  occasioned  death.  The  Hottentots 


HEALTH. 


227 


are  said  to  kill  snakes  by  putting  a drop  of  it  on 
their  tongues.  Under  its  influence  the  reptiles 
die  as  instantaneously  as  if  killed  by  an  electric 
shock.  It  appears  to  act  nearly  in  the  same  way 
as  prussic  acid. 

“ The  segar,  especially  if  smoked  to  the  end, 
discharges  directly  into  the  mouth  of  the  smoker 
everything  that  is  produced  by  the  burning. 
Thus,  the  more  rapidly  the  leaf  burns  and  the 
smoke  is  inhaled,  the  greater  the  proportion  of  the 
poisonous  substances  which  is  drawn  into  the 
mouth.  And  finally,  when  the  saliva  is  retained, 
the  fullest  effect  of  all  the  three  narcotic  ingre- 
dients of  the  smoke  will  be  produced  upon  the 
nervous  system  of  the  smoker.  It  is  not  surpri- 
sing, therefore,  that  those  who  have  been  accus- 
tomed to  smoke  segars,  especially  of  strong 
tobacco,  should  find  any  other  pipe  both  tame  aud 
tasteless,  except  the  short  black  cutty , which  has 
lately  come  into  favor  among  inveterate  smokers. 
Such  persons  live  in  an  almost  constant  state  of 
narcotism  or  narcotic  drunkenness,  which  must 
ultimately  affect  the  health  even  of  the  strongest. 

“ The  cliewer  of  tobacco,  it  will  be  understood 
from  the  above  description,  does  not  experience 
the  effects  of  the  poisonous  oil  which  is  produced 
during  the  burning  of  the  leaf.  The  natural  vol- 
atile oil  and  the  nicotin  are  the  substances  which 


228 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


act  upon  him.  These,  from  the  quantity  of  them, 
which  he  involuntarily  swallows  or  absorbs,  im- 
pair his  appetite,  and  gradually  weaken  his  powers 
of  digestion.” 

The  subjoined  extract  is  taken  from  a commu- 
nication on  the  tobacco  question,  by  Mr.  Solly, 
in  the  London  Lancet  of  February  14th,  1857  : 

“ The  more  I think  of  the  tobacco  question,  the 
more  it  haunts  me.  I feel  that  I cannot  do  justice 
to  its  importance,  but  I am  anxious  to  add  some 
thing  to  my  last  communication.  Every  day  the 
subject  is  forced  upon  my  mind.  I scarcely  meet 
a friend  or  patient  who  does  not  bear  his  testimony 
to  the  mischief  of  which  he  has  been  the  witness, 
in  his  own  case  or  that  of  some  friend,  from  to- 
bacco. 

“ The  profession  have  no  idea  of  the  ignorance 
of  the  public  regarding  the  nature  of  tobacco. 
Even  intelligent,  well-educated  men,  stare  in  as- 
tonishment, when  you  tell  them  that  tobacco  is 
one  of  the  most  powerful  poisons  we  possess. 
Now,  is  this  right  ? Has  the  medical  profession 
done  its  duty  ? Ought  we  not,  as  a body,  to  have 
told  the  public  that,  of  all  our  poisons,  it  is  the 
most  insidious,  uncertain,  and,  in  full  doses,  the 
most  deadly  ? Why  should  they  not  know  at  once 
how  often  it  has  proved  fatal  in  the  human  sub- 
ject, when  injected  into  the  rectum  in  strangu- 


HEALTH. 


229 


lated  hernia.  I heard,  only  the  other  day,  that  a 
celebrated  surgeon — rather  an  obstinate  one — since 
dead,  lost  five  cases  in  succession  from  the  effect 
of  tobacco  injected  into  the  bowels. 

u It  seems  almost  trifling  with  the  subject,  and 
yet  the  extreme  ignorance  which  prevails  regard- 
ing this  frightful  pest,  rendering  even  trifles 
weighty  in  the  scale,  induces  me  to  remind  all 
smokers,  and  those  of  our  brethren  who  madly 
encourage  it,  that  the  first  effect  of  a segar  on  any 
one,  demonstrates  that  tobacco  can  poison  by  its 
smoke,  and  through  the  lungs,  just  as  certainly  as 
through  the  bowels.” 

To  this  startling  testimony  on  the  subject  of  to- 
bacco-poisoning, we  shall  add  nothing;  but  we  beg 
our  readers  not  to  let  it  pass  lightly  from  their 
thoughts.  There  are  more  terrible  effects  than 
any  above  enumerated,  involving  the  loss  of  life. 
No  one  who  indulges  in  the  use  of  tobacco  in  any 
form  can  tell  how  soon  he  may  fall  a victim. 
There  is  a little  treatise  on  the  11  Use  and  Abuse 
of  Tobacco,”  by  Dr.  John  Lizars,  of  Edinburgh, 
which  is  earnestly  commended  to  your  attention. 

Above  we  have  made  a few  extracts  from  this 
treatise,  but  they  only  touch  the  subject  at  single 
points.  Its  careful  perusal,  and  a thoughtful  con- 
sideration of  the  many  aspects  in  which  the  use 


230 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


of  tobacco  is  presented,  will  give  the  matter  an 
importance  in  your  mind  to  which  it  has  probably 
never  been  elevated.  If,  through  motives  for  a 
temporary  self-denial  furnished  by  this  book,  you 
can  get  free  from  an  injurious  habit,  its  possession 
will  be  one  of  the  greatest  blessings  of  your 
life. 


CHAPTER  XXL 

ENTERING  INTO  BUSINESS. 

Entering  into  business  is,  except  marriage, 
the  most  important  act  of  a young  man’s  life. 
And,  as  the  proportion  of  those  who  are  unsuc- 
cessful in  their  first  efforts  is  as  two  to  three,  it 
behooves  every  one  to  look  well  to  what  he  is 
doing  before  taking  a step  that  may  involve  him 
in  serious  losses  or  difficulties.  The  result  of 
our  own  observation  is,  that  a young  man  who 
enters  into  business  under  the  age  of  twenty-five, 
unless  he  be  taken  into  partnership  in  an  estab- 
lished firm,  is  almost  sure  to  fail.  If  he  have 
money,  he  will  lose  it ; and  if  credit  be  his  only 
capital,-  he  will  get  involved  in  debt.  There  are, 


ENTERING  INTO  BUSINESS. 


231 


of  course,  some  exceptions  to  this,  but  they  are 
eery  few. 

One  necessary  prerequisite  to  success  in  busi- 
ness is  a thorough  knowledge  of  that  branch  into 
which  a man  enters.  It  is,  therefore,  always  a 
hazardous  step  for  any  one  to  commence  a busi- 
ness of  the  details  of  which  he  is  ignorant,  no 
matter  how  flattering  may  be  the  inducements 
held  out.  This  is  a prominent  cause  of  failure. 
Another  cause  is  the  young  man’s  impatience  to 
get  along  fast,  and  realize  great  profits  in  a very 
short  period.  But  this  is  not  the  history  of  suc- 
cessful houses,  nor  of  men  who  have  acquired 
great  wealth.  Safe  and  sure  beginnings  are 
always  small,  and  the  growth  gradual.  Sudden 
inflations  meet  with  as  sudden  collapses.  A 
young  man  who  has  been  a clerk  in  a respecta- 
ble house,  that  has  been  growing  gradually  for 
years,  determines  upon  going  into  business.  But 
he  is  not  content  with  a small  beginning.  He 
must  have  as  handsome  a store  and  as  fine  a stock 
of  goods  as  his  old,  substantial  employers,  and 
strains  his  credit  to  the  utmost  to  gratify  his 
pride  and  false  notions  in  regard  to  the  true 
means  necessary  to  success  in  trade.  Without 
sufficient  capital  to  bear  the  heavy  losses  that 
too  often  attend  a heavy  business,  and  the  large 
Bccumu  ation  of  unsalable  goods,  a few  year* 


232 


ADVICE  TC  YOUNG  MEN. 


tell  the  story  of  his  rise  and  fall.  This  is  the 
history  of  hundreds  in  our  large  cities.  Every 
year  sees  the  passing  away  of  some  scores  of 
houses  established  in  this  way,  and  yet  the  lesson 
seems  to  do  no  good ; for  every  year  scores  of 
others  are  ready  to  take  the  places  of  their  un- 
fortunate predecessors,  without  any  more  of  the 
elements  of  success  about  them. 

Many  young  men  are  tempted  into  business, 
and  induced  to  make  a bold  start,  upon  the 
always  uncertain  basis  of  credit,  from  hearing 
so  much  said  about  this  one  and  another  who 
has  commenced  life  without  a dollar,  and  in  a 
few  years  retired  with  an  independent  fortune. 
There  is  a great  deal  of  this  kind  of  gossip 
among  clerks  and  those  who  have  just  entered 
into  business.  They  can  name  hundreds  of  in- 
stances where  young  men  have  launched  boldly 
out,  and  made  from  twenty  to  a hundred  thousand 
dollars  in  a few  years;  and  will  actually  point 
out  this,  that,  and  the  other  one,  as  the  veritable 
personages.  Now,  it  is  one  thing  for  a man  in 
business  to  say  that  he  has  made  fifty  thousand 
dollars,  for  instance,  and  another  thing  really  to 
have  made  it.  We  have  seen  the  end  of  a good 
many  who  had  made  fortunes  in  a wonderfully 
short  space  of  time,  and  the  winding  up  generally 
showed  tl  em  to  be  worse  than  nothing.  The 


ENTERING  INTO  BUS/NESS. 


233 


reason  why  the  notion  is  so  generally  prevalent 
that  a fortune  may  be  made  in  this  country  in  a 
very  few  years,  if  a man  have  sufficient  boldness, 
activity,  and  enterprise,  is  because,  in  periods  of 
inflation  which  have  occurred,  every  thing  ob- 
tains a fictitious  value.  The  time  has  been 
when  a piece  of  property,  purchased  to-day  for 
five  thousand  dollars,  has  sold  for  fifty  or  one 
hundred  thousand  before  the  lapse  of  twelve 
months ; or  stocks  which  cost  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars last  week  have  netted  twenty  or  thirty  thou- 
sand this  week.  In  times  like  those,  when  the 
volume  of  paper  money  was  immense,  goods 
could  be  sold  freely  and  at  large  profits.  This 
would  make  the  gains  of  business  very  great  in  a 
few  years.  Far  more  than  all  the  profits,  how- 
ever, were  usually  trusted  out  to  persons  who 
bought  freely  because  they  could  buy  on  credit. 
From  engaging  in  speculations  when  there  was 
an  upward  tendency  in  every  thing,  and  from 
making  a few  fortunate  operations,  combined  with 
an  active  trade,  when  every  thing  was  brisk, 
young  men,  who  have  had  only  a few  thousands 
to  begin  with,  have,  in  a very  short  period  be- 
come quite  wealthy.  But  it  was  generally  the 
case  til  at  this  wealth  consisted  in  property  said  to 
be  worth  so  much,  and  which  might,  at  the  time, 
sell  for  its  valuation  to  somebody,  who  would  give 


234 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


his  note  for  it  at  six,  nine,  twelve,  or  twenty-four 
months.  There  are  a few  instances  where  per- 
sons thus  successful  have  had  the  prudence  to 
convert  their  property  into  something  more  sub- 
stantial than  notes  of  hand  drawn  by  Tom,  Dick, 
and  Harry,  or  town  lots  from  which  the  first 
spadeful  of  earth  had  not  yet  been  lifted.  But  in 
most  cases,  when  the  storms  came  which  always 
follow  such  periods  of  sunshine,  these  men  were 
among  the  first  to  be  driven  under.  The  story 
of  their  rapidly-acquired  fortunes  is  still  told  , 
but  the  real  cause  of  their  speedy  elevation  is 
not  understood,  nor  is  the  sequel  known  or  al- 
luded to. 

A prudent  young  man  will  hardly  suffer  him- 
self to  be  deceived  by  stories  of  this  kind,  and 
tempted  into  business  in  the  hope  of  making  a 
fortune  by  a bold  dash : if  he  should  be,  he 
will  be  almost  certain  to  lose  what  money  he  may 
happen  to  have,  and  get  involved  in  debt  beside ; 
for  with  the  views  of  business  he  will  hold,  such 
a thing  as  a small  beginning  and  cautious  opera- 
tions will  be  out  of  the  question.  As  before  said, 
the  elements  of  success  in  business  are  to  be 
found  in  a thorough  knowledge  of  the  particular 
branch  in  which  a young  mah  is  about  to  engage, 
and  in  a maturity  of  judgment  acquire  ! by  a few 
years  of  experience  and  observation  ir  the  world 


ENTERING  INTO  BUSINESS. 


235 


as  a man.  With  this  there  must  exist  a willing- 
ness to  be  content  for  a time  with  small  things 
— to  be  willing  to  wait  for  the  seed  sown  to  ger- 
minate,  the  tender  blade  to  shoot  forth,  and 
the  stock  gradually  to  increase,  and  grow,  and 
gain  strength  to  mature  and  support  the  grain. 
It  is  far  better  to  advance  slowly,  and  wait  even 
as  long  as  ten  years  before  the  gains  of  labor 
begin  to  be  of  much  importance,  than  to  rush 
ahead  for  a time,  and,  long  before  ten  years  have 
rolled  around,  be  thrown  to  the  earth,  and  em- 
barrassed by  debts,  to  pay  which  the  ability  may 
never  come. 

As  the  true  way  to  begin  is  to  begin  with 
moderate  expectations  and  a small  business,  the 
first  rule  to  adopt  is,  the  determination  to  make 
the  personal  expenses  as  light  as  possible.  The 
error  which  most  young  men  commit  is,  to  in- 
crease their  personal  expenses  as  soon  as  they 
enter  into  business.  The  spending  of  one  thou- 
sand dollars  a year,  instead  of  five  hundred,  takes 
just  five  hundred  out  of  the  business,  and  sinks  it 
absolutely.  The  saving  of  five  hundred  dollars 
each  year  for  three  or  four  years,  and  keeping 
the  amount  in  the  business,  will,  of  itself,  be  an 
important  matter,  and  may  actually  save  the  busi- 
ness in  an  extremity,  or  unexpected  loss,  when, 
if  it  had  bee  a spent,  destruction  would  be 


2^6  ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 

inevitable.  Care  in  regard  to  the  expenses  at- 
tendant upon  the  prosecution  of  business  is  also 
an  important  matter.  Ia rents,  personal  expenses, 
clerk  hire,  and  petty  expenditures  of  various 
kinds,  more  than  the  entire  profits  of  a new  busi- 
ness may  be  consumed.  If  there  is  any  borrowed 
capital,  and  interest  to  pay  thereon,  necessity  for 
the  strictest  economy  will  be  even  more  impera- 
tive. 

But  entering  into  business  is  one  thing, 
and  conducting  it  on  right  principles  another. 
Enough  has  already  been  said  in  this  work  to 
make  any  one  see  and  feel  the  force  of  the  posi- 
tion, that  the  common  good  ought  to  be  regarded 
by  every  man,  and  that  whoever  seeks  to  secure 
the  common  good  most  effectually  secures  his 
own.  This  does  not  mean  that  a man  should 
throw  all  his  earnings  into  the  treasury  of  the 
commonwealth,  or  do  any  act  of  a similar  kind; 
or  that  he  should  neglect  his  own  interest  in 
seeking  to  forward  the  interests  of  others.  The 
arrangement  of  society,  under  the  direction  of  an 
all-wise  Providence,  provides  for  every  man’s  well- 
being in  the  pursuit  of  some  employment  that 
benefits  the  whole ; and  the  conducting  of  these 
employments  on  right  principles  is  nothing  more 
than  each  man  attending  diligently  to  his  own 
business  in  life,  but  without  in  any  way  inter fer- 


ENTERING  INTO  BUSINESS* 


237 


ing  with  his  neighbor’s  business,  or  taking  the 
slightest  advantage  of  him  in  any  mutual  trans- 
actions. If  such  were  the  acknowledged  laws  of 
trade,  the  well-being  of  all  would  be  secured. 
He  who  most  served  the  public  good  in  the 
greater  extent  of  his  useful  products,  would  re- 
ceive the  greatest  return ; and  he  who  was  less 
active  and  diligent,  a smaller  return. 

Such,  however,  are  not  the  laws  that  govern 
trade  in  these  evil  and  degenerate  days.  Most 
men  seek  so  eagerly  to  increase  their  worldly 
gains,  as  to  disregard  entirely  the  interests  of 
others ; nay,  not  only  to  disregard  them,  but 
actually  to  invade  them  with  deliberate  purpose. 
Thus  we  have  cheating  of  all  grades,  from  the 
speculator’s  overreaching  operations  down  to  the 
selling  of  goods  by  spurious  weights  and  meas- 
ures, or  obtaining  them  under  false  pretences. 

But  let  every  young  man  who  is  about  enter- 
ing into  business,  no  matter  what  it  n ay  be,  or 
who  commences  the  practice  of  a proi  ission  for 
which  he  has  duly  qualified  himself,  resolve,  ere 
he  takes  the  first  step,  that  he,  for  one,  will  be  an 
honest  man  in  the  community  ; that  he  will 
diligently  seek  to  advance  himself  in  his  business 
or  profession  by  all  right  means;  but  that  he  will 
in  no  case  take  even  the  smallest  advantage  of 
his  neighbor.  He  need  not  be  anxious  about  the 


288 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


final  result;  all  he  has  to  do  is  to  use  diligence, 
wisdom,  and  prudence,  and  these  will  carry  him 
through,  even  amid  the  wrongs  and  disorders  of 
society  as  it  now  exists  He  may  not  grow  rich 
as  rapidly  as  his  neighbor,  who  can  manage  by 
cheating  to  make  a larger  profit  on  his  goods, 
and  by  false  pretences  to  gain  a greater  amount 
of  custom;  but  his  advancement  will  be  rapid 
enough  to  give  him  all  that  is  needful  for  health, 
comfort,  and  a good  conscience. 

It  is  seriously  argued,  by  many  who  are  en- 
gaged in  business,  that  deception  and  false  rep- 
resentation are  absolutely  necessary  to  success; 
that  it  is  impossible  for  a strictly-honest  man  to 
succeed  in  business.  But  this  is  not  true.  We 
believe,  however,  that,  in  a business  community 
where  nearly  all  take  undue  advantages  in  trade, 
an  honest  man  will  find  it  difficult  to  sustain 
himself,  unless  he  be  wary,  active,  and  energetic  ; 
for  he  will  lose  by  the  dishonesty  of  others,  with- 
out being  able  to  repair  the  loss  by  dishonest 
practices  in  turn.  But  what  right-thinking  man 
would  not  rather  suffer  the  loss  of  worldly  goods 
than  the  loss  of  honor  ? Who  would  not  be  con- 
tent with  a smaller  portion  of  wealth,  accom- 
panied by  a consciousness  of  having  done  what 
was  just  and  right  between  man  and  man,  than 
to  be  the  possessor  of  millions  obtained  by  over 


ENTERING  INTO  BUSINESS. 


289 


reaching  and  a system  of  successful  fraud  not 
recognizable  by  the  laws?  Any  undue  advan- 
tage in  business  is  stealing;  for  it  is  taking 
another’s  goods  without  his  consent  or  cogni- 
zance. 

There  are  various  modes  of  overreaching  in 
business,  against  which  every  honest  young  man 
will  set  his  face.  Nearly  all  speculations  are 
dishonest  means,  by  which  one  man  gains  a cer- 
tain amount  of  money  in  a transaction  that 
another  loses.  A merchant  gains  intelligence,  by 
the  superior  facilities  which  he  happens  to  pos- 
sess, of  a rise  in  the  price  of  some  article  in  a 
neighboring  market.  He  goes  to  his  neighbor, 
who  is  yet  ignorant  of  this  rise,  and  buys  from 
him  all  of  that  article  he  has  in  store  at  the 
prevailing  prices  of  the  day,  and  thus  secures 
both  his  own  and  his  neighbor’s  profits.  This  is  a 
very  common  transaction,  but,  judged  by  the  rule 
we  have  laid  down,  a very  dishonest  one.  Again, 
a merchant  buys  up  ail  of  an  article  there  is  in 
the  market,  at  a time  when  he  knows  there  will 
be  a scarcity,  and  doubles  the  price.  This  is  not 
honest;  for  he  is  enriching  himself  by  extorting 
from  others  an  exorbitant  rate  for  a necessary 
article.  All  stock  speculations  are  conducted  on 
the  broadest  principles  of  loss  and  gain  — like 
gambling.  We  doubt  very  much  if  any  man 


240 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


who  engages  actively  in  them  can  be  gorernea 
by  an  honest  regard  for  the  interests  of  his  fellow- 
man.  It  seems  to  be  nothing  but  an  eager 
scramble  for  money,  no  matter  to  whom  it  prop- 
erly belongs. 

These  are  bold  and  palpable  modes  of  over- 
reaching in  business,  and  men  enter  into  them 
unblushingly.  The  concealed  and  underhand 
methods  are  far  more  numerous.  They  ap- 
pertain to  every  trade  and  calling,  and  are 
practised  under  the  most  perfectly  assumed  ex- 
teriors of  fairness  and  honesty.  These  are  short 
weights  and  measures,  false  representations  as  to 
quality,  exorbitant  prices  where  the  buyer  is  ig- 
norant,  and  various  other  frauds  upon  purchasers. 
The  mechanic  slights  his  work  in  places  where 
it  cannot  be  readily  seen,  and  thus  is  enabled  tG 
sell  cheaper  than  his  neighbor  who  makes  a good 
article.  And  throughout  all  trades  and  profes- 
sions there  prevails  a system  of  fraud  upon  the 
public  which  is  becoming  apparent  in  the  gradual 
deterioration  of  almost  every  article  of  general 
consumption,  while  the  makers  stun  the  public 
ear  with  declarations  of  the  superior  quality  of  ev- 
ery thing  they  produce.  Thus  the  effort  of  each 
calling  to  secure  its  own  interests,  at  the  expense 
of  the  whole,  has  been  the  effort  of  all ; and  the 
consequence  is,  that  all  are  worse  off  for  it.  But 


ENTERING  INTO  BUSINESS. 


241 


this  result  is  no  matter  of  surprise.  It  is  the 
legitimate  effect  of  an  adequate  cause. 

The  only  remedy  for  this  is  Toi  each  man, 
acting  from  a principle  of  integrity,  to  strive 
honestly  to  perform  all  that  appertains  to  his  call- 
ing If  he  is  a mechanic,  let  him  not  look 
altogether  to  the  money  he  is  to  receive  for  his 
work,  but  consider  as  well  him  for  whom  the 
work  is  intended,  and  be  careful  that  it  be  of  a 
good  quality,  and  worth  the  price  he  receives  for 
it.  If  he  be  a merchant,  let  him  buy  with  judg- 
ment, and  sell  with  a just  regard  to  the  rights  of 
others.  And  let  all  men,  no  matter  what  may  be 
their  calling,  faithfully  regard  the  good  of  others 
as  well  as  their  own.  To  do  this,  is  simply  to 
refrain  from  injuring  others  in  any  transactions 
had  with  them. 

If  every  young  man,  now  entering  upon  life, 
were  to  act  from  the  principles  here  laid  down, 
how  different,  in  a few  years,  would  be  the  aspect 
of  affairs  in  the  business  world  ! Trade  would  be 
in  a far  more  healthy  condition,  and  every  man  in 
business  would  feel  himself  more  firmly  estab- 
lished. And  the  reason  is  obvious.  There  would 
be  no  overreaching ; no  disturbance  of  the  regu- 
lar course  of  trade  by  eager,  selfish  speculators  ; 
no  interference  with  one  man’s  business  by 
another,  as  is  now  often  the  case,  by  which  it 
16 


242 


ADVACE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


not  unfrequently  happens  that  his  prospects  for 
life  are  ruined.  Instead  of  sudden  and  great 
accumulations  of  money  in  a few  hands,  for  the 
purpose  of  affecting  the  market  for  selfish  ends, 
to  the  injury,  perhaps,  of  hundreds,  there  would 
be,  in  time,  a greater  equalization  of  capital,  and 
the  simple  and  true  law  of  demand  and  supply,  as 
a regularly-existing  state,  subject  to  but  few,  and 
they  not  sudden  and  broad  fluctuations,  would 
be  the  balance-wheel  to  trade.  This  would  be  a 
blessing  to  all. 

Most  earnestly  do  we  urge  upon  young  men, 
just  entering  or  about  to  enter  into  business,  to 
look  this  matter  fully  in  the  face,  and  endeavor  to 
feel  it  as  a subject  vital  to  the  true  well-being  of 
society.  Whenever  a reform  begins,  it  must  begin 
with  them.  To  them  society  looks  as  its  regen- 
erators. Let  every  young  man  endeavor  to  feel 
the  responsibility  that  rests  upon  him  as  an  in- 
dividual, and  act  well  and  wisely  his  part,  when 
he  finds  himself  standing  in  the  world’s  arena. 


MARRIAGE. 


24  6 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

MARRIAGE. 

On  this  subject  very  few  tliinlc  seriously,  and 
those  who  make  it  a matter  of  much  reflection 
too  generally  think  erroneously.  We  allude,  of 
course,  to  young  persons.  Those  of  more  ma- 
ture age  have  clearer  views ; but  too  often  these 
are  consequent  upon  either  seeing  or  feeling  the 
evils  that  result  from  marriages  entered  into  from 
blind  passions  or  improper  motives.  The  great 
difficulty,  with  regard  to  those  who  most  need 
proper  instruction  on  this  subject,  is,  that  they 
will  not  hearken  to  what  is  said  to  them,  but 
either  follow  the  leadings  of  impulse  and  passion, 
or  look  with  cool  deliberation  to  the  attainment 
of  some  selfish  end.  In  either  case,  mutual  un- 
nappiness  is  the  almost  inevitable  result. 

Marriage  is  the  most  important  event  in  a 
man’s  life,  because  it  brings  him  into  the  very 
closest  relationship  with  another,  and  therefore 
subjects  him  to  the  disturbance  of  bvery  incon- 
gruous or  opposite  thing  in  the  character  of  his 
new  companion.  This  is  one  reason,  but  there 


244 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNtf  MEN. 


are  others  which  are  more  vital  and  important 
and  which  can  only  be  understood  when  there  is 
some  knowledge  of  the  true  laws  which  ought  to 
govern  in  marriage.  These  laws  have  their  ori- 
gin in  the  distinctive  difference  which  exists,  and 
has  existed  from  creation,  between  man  and  wo- 
man. This  difference  does  not  lie  in  the  mere 
form  of  body  peculiar  to  each.  It  is  far  more 
deeply  grounded.  The  difference  is  in  the 
mental  and  spiritual  form ; it  is,  therefore,  of  a 
most  radical  kind.  To  make  the  whole  subject 
of  this  difference  clearly  comprehended  would 
require  a treatise  of  greater  extent  than  our  en- 
tire work ; and  we  shall  not,  therefore,  risk  mis- 
apprehension by  the  mere  enunciation  of  the  con- 
clusions to  which  such  a treatise  would  bring 
every  reflecting  mind.  The  main  thing  to  be 
understood,  however,  is,  that  man  and  woman  are 
so  created  as  to  be  imperfect  except  in  marriage 
union,  and  therefore  that  marriage  is  an  orderly 
state.  In  man  we  find  a peculiar  development  of 
brain, — the  organ  by  which  the  mind  acts, — that 
marks  his  difference  from  the  woman ; and  in  wo- 
man there  is  a peculiar  development  that  marks 
her  difference  from  the  man ; and  yet  both  pos- 
sess the  same  formations.  In  man,  the  intellec- 
tual region  shows  a larger  development,  and  in 
woman,  that  region  of  the  brain  by  which  the 


MARRIAGE 


245 


affections  of  the  mind  come  into  activ.ty;  yet 
both  have  intelligence  and  affection.  But  the 
one  is  a thinking  man,  and  the  other  a loving 
man;  and,  in  union,  they  make  one  perfect  man. 
The  affections  of  a man  are,  as  a general  thing, 
guided  by  his  reason ; and  the  reason  of  a woman, 
as  a general  thing,  is  guided  by  her  affections. 
Of  course,  there  are  exceptions,  as  in  masculine 
women,  so  called,  and  effeminate  men ; but  these 
are  looked  upon  as  social  monsters;  and  it  is 
very  well  known  that  they  do  little  to  advance 
society  towards  a state  of  true  order,  although 
the  first  class  sometimes  make  a great  noise  in 
the  world,  and  do  their  full  share  of  harm.  But 
only  when  they  unite  their  mental  forces  in  a 
just  marriage,  — that  is,  when,  in  the  conjugal 
union,  the  intelligence  of  the  man  and  the  affec- 
tion of  the  woman  are  also  married,  and  look  to 
one  end,  — is  there  a perfect  man  in  the  world. 
If  this  does  not  take  place,  — and,  alas  ! its  occur- 
rence is  a rare  thing  in  these  times,  — there  will 
be  more  or  less  discord  and  unhappiness  between 
married  partners. 

To  illustrate  this  so  as  to  bring  it  home  with 
some  kind  of  force  to  even  minds  not  given  to 
close  and  abstract  reflection,  we  will  suppose  that 
a woman,  who  possesses  a fortune,  is  addressed  by 
ft  man  whom  she  believes  to  be  high-minded,  in- 


246 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


telligent,  and  truly  moral.  These  are  what  she, 
as  a right-minded  woman,  can  love  in  a man. 
After  marriage,  however,  she  makes  the  dis- 
covery that  it  was  not  for  her  virtues  that  she  was 
loved  and  wooed  by  this  man,  but  for  her  wealth, 
and  that,  so  far  from  being  high-minded  and 
honorable,  he  is  base-minded  and  dishonorable. 
Could  there  possibly  be  any  union  of  souls  be- 
tween these  two  persons?  Could  his  intelligence 
and  her  affections  ever  blend  and  become  as  one 
mind  ? No.  So  long  as  life  lasted  they  must  be 
in  discord. 

And  the  same  will  be  the  case  if  beauty  alone, 
or  the  desire  to  form  a respectable  or  distin- 
guished connection,  or  any  other  worldly  or  selfish 
motive,  be  the  leading  end  in  a man’s  mind  when 
he  seeks  to  gain  the  affections  of  a woman.  No 
woman  believes  herself  loved  for  any  external 
grace,  accomplishment,  or  possession,  by  the  man 
whom  she  loves  in  return,  blit  for  herself  alone. 
If,  after  marriage,  she  discover  that  she  has  been 
mistaken,  from  that  moment  her  confidence  in 
her  husband  is  destroyed ; and  the  date  of  her 
unhappiness,  as  well  as  his  own,  has  commenced. 
He  will  find  that,  notwithstanding  she  may  be 
faithful  to  all  her  duties  as  a wife,  no  union 
of  mind  takes  place,  nor  can  take  place ; that 
she  will  not,  and  cannot,  love  his  intelligence,  nor 


MARRIAGE. 


247 


give  him  any  counsel  or  strength  in  the  perform- 
ance of  his  duties  in  life.  In  most  things,  she  will 
be  inclined  to  differ  with  rather  than  agree  with 
him,  if  matters  are  referred  to  her ; but,  usually, 
she  will  be  altogether  passive  in  things  of  general 
concern,  contenting  herself  with  her  domestic 
duties  alone.  As  a consequence,  he  will  grow 
more  and  more  self-wdled ; for  he  must  trust  to 
his  own  reason  for  every  thing,  unwarmed  by  the 
glow  of  her  affections;  and  her  mind  will  con- 
tract itself  more  and  more  within  its  own  little 
sphere,  because  not  drawn  out  and  expanded  by 
sympathy  with  his  more  widely-reaching  intelli- 
gence, and  both  will  be  unhappy. 

If  a young  man  would  escape  these  sad  conse- 
quences, let  him  shun  the  rocks  upon  which  so 
many  have  made  shipwreck.  Let  him  disregard, 
totally,  all  considerations  of  wealth,  beauty,  ex- 
ternal accomplishments,  fashion,  connections  in 
society,  and  every  other  mere  selfish  and  worldly 
end,  and  look  into  the  mind  and  heart  of  the  woman 
he  thinks  of  marrying.  If  he  cannot  love  her  for 
herself  alone,  — that  is,  for  all  that  goes  to  make 
up  her  character  as  a woman,  — let  him  disregard 
every  external  inducement,  and  shun  a marriage 
with  her  as  the  greatest  evil  to  which  he  could 
be  subjected.  And  if  he  have  in  him  a spark  of 
virtuous  feeling,  — if  he  have  one  unselfish  and 


248 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


generous  emotion,  — he  will  shun  such  a ma? 
riage  for  the  woman’s  sake  also  for  it  would  be 
sacrificing  her  happiness  as  well  as  his  own. 

From  what  is  here  set  forth,  every  young  man 
can  see  how  vitally  important  it  is  for  him  to 
make  his  choice  in  marriage  from  a right  end. 
Wealth  cannot  bring  happiness,  and  is  ever  in 
danger  of  taking  to  itself  wings ; beauty  cannot 
last  long  where  there  is  grief  at  the  heart ; and 
distinguished  connections  are  a very  poor  substi- 
tute for  the  pure  love  of  a true  woman’s  heart. 

All  that  has  been  said  refers  to  the  ends  whici 
should  govern  in  the  choice  of  a wife.  Direc- 
tions as  to  the  choice  itself  can  only  be  of  a 
general  character ; for  the  circumstances  sur- 
rounding each  one,  and  the  particular  circles  into 
which  he  is  thrown,  will  have  specific  influences, 
which  will  bias  the  judgment  either  one  way  or 
another.  One  good  rule,  it  will,  however,  be  well 
to  observe;  and  that  is,  to  be  on  your  guard 
against  those  young  ladies  who  seek  evidently 
to  attract  your  attention.  It  is  unfeminine,  and 
proves  that  there  is  something  wanting  to  make 
up  the  perfect  woman.  In  retiring  modesty  you 
will  be  far  more  apt  to  find  the  virtues  after 
which  you  are  seeking.  A brilliant  belle  may 
make  a loving,  faithful  wife  and  mother ; but  the 
chances  are  somewhat  against  her,  and  a prudent 


MARRIAGE. 


249 


young  man  will  satisfy  himself  well  by  a close 
observation  of  her  in  private  and  domestic  life, 
before  he  makes  up  his  mind  to  offer  her  his  hand. 

But  the  most  we  can  do,  and  what  we  mainly 
wish  to  do,  in  giving  precepts  for  the  choice  of  a 
wife,  has  already  been  done ; and  that  is,  to  im- 
press upon  young  men  the  necessity  of  acting 
from  right  ends.  If  these  be  pure,  there  will  be 
little  danger  of  a mistake.  If  they  be  not  pure, 
all  particular  directions  how  to  choose  a wife 
will  be  in  vain. 

Marriage  itself  is  a religious  rite,  instituted 
by  Heaven,  and,  as  such,  should  always  be  solem- 
nized by  a minister  or  priest,  and  not,  as  a civil 
rite,  by  a magistrate.  It  is  the  first  law  of  hu- 
man existence,  and  has  its  date  anterior  to  any 
civil  institutions  whatever. 

To  some  extent  there  prevails  a disposition  to 
regard  marriage  as  an  evil,  by  those  who  do  not 
understand  its  true  nature,  and  who  look  at  the 
unhappy  results  that  too  often  flow  from  it  as 
effects  of  the  institution  itself,  instead  of  the 
abuses.  Others,  again,  speak  lightly  of  the  mat- 
ter, and  compare  marriage  to  a lottery,  with  few 
prizes  and  many  blanks,  and  say  that  the  gaining 
of  a prize  is  always  a matter  of  chance.  But  the 
evils  and  chances  all  lie  in  the  perverse  and  self- 
ish ends  that  govern  men  in  their  choice  of 


250 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


wives.  Let  these  be  corrected,  and  the  whole 
matter  will  present  a different  and  brighter 
aspect. 

To  the  question  often  asked  of  young  men  as 
t.o  why  they  do  not  marry,  we  sometimes  hear  the 
reply,  “ I am  not  able  to  support  a wife.”  In 
one  case  in  three,  perhaps,  this  may  be  so ; but 
as  a general  thing,  the  true  reply  would  be,  “ I 
am  not  able  to  support  the  style  in  which  I think 
my  wife  ought  to  live.”  In  this,  again,  we  see  a 
false  view  of  marriage ; a looking  to  an  appear- 
ance in  the  world,  instead  of  a union  with  a lov- 
ing woman  for  her  own  sake.  There  are  verj 
few  men,  of  industrious  habits,  who  cannot  main- 
tain a wife,  if  they  are  willing  to  live  economically, 
and  without  reference  to  the  false  opinions  of  the 
world.  The  great  evil  is,  that  young  couples 
are  not  content  to  begin  life  humbly,  to  retire 
together  into  an  obscure  position,  and  together 
work  their  way  in  the  world  — he  by  industry  in 
his  calling,  and  she  by  dispensing  with  prudence 
the  money  that  he  earns.  But  they  must  stand 
out  and  attract  the  attention  of  others  by  their 
fine  house,  fine  furniture,  and  fine  clothes,  even 
if  debt  be  incurred,  in  order  to  maintain  this  silly 
show.  As  a general  thing,  we  find  these  men, 
who  do  not  think  themselves  able  to  support  a 
wife,  always  affected  with  the  same  disability 


MARRIAGE. 


251 


Although  an  aivocate  for  early  marriages,  yet 
we  are  no  advocate  for  the  dashing  out  which  so 
often  attends  them.  Even  a married  couple  may 
save  money  on  a small  income,  and  yet  live  com- 
fortably enough  if  their  pride  be  not  too  active ; 
and  the  economical  habits  thus  cultivated  will 
lay  the  foundation  for  success  which  would  have 
been  sought  for  in  vain,  had  the  young  man  spent 
all,  or  nearly  all,  he  earned  for  four  or  five  years 
waiting  until  he  got  able  to  marry.  In  regard  to 
an  increase  of  family,  our  observation  satisfies  us, 
if  we  looked  no  further,  that  increased  means 
will  always  be  the  consequences.  He  who  sends 
children  will  help  you  to  take  care  of  them,  if 
you  put  yourself  in  the  way  of  being  helped. 

A married  man,  if  he  have  right  views,  will 
always  proceed  with  more  caution  than  a single 
roan,  because  more  depends  upon  him;  and  this  is 
a good  reason  why  he  is  more  certain  to  advance 
in  the  world  steadily,  if  it  be  slowly. 

In  regard  to  early  marriages,  this  may  be  safely 
said.  If  an  engagement  have  been  formed,  and 
both  parties  are  willing  to  live  strictly  within  the 
limits  of  the  young  man’s  income,  and  if  he,  or 
they  between  them,  have  sufficient  money  to  meet 
all  the  expenses  consequent  upon  marriage,  and, 
moreover,  if  there  be  a prospect  of  the  continu 


252 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNb 


ance  of  his  income,  let  them  mairy,  i»ay  we.  3 
will  be  better  for  them. 

As  the  natural  result  of  marriage  is  offspring, 
and  as  children  inherit  from  their  parents  pro- 
pensities to  either  good  or  evil,  the  same  as  they 
inherit  physically  a tendency  to  disease  or  health, 
the  subject  assumes  a still  more  serious  aspect 
than  any  we  have  ye<.  given  it,  and  exhibits  the 
responsibilities  and  duties  of  married  partners  in 
a still  stronger  light.  Parents  love  their  children, 
and  seek  their  good  in  various  ways.  They  deny 
themselves  many  comforts,  they  toil  early  and 
late,  and  will  sometimes  risk  even  life  itself  for 
their  children.  The  evil  tendencies  which  show 
themselves  almost  as  soon  as  the  mind  moves  in 
its  first  activities,  cause  them  deep  grief ; for 
they  know  that  such  tendencies,  if  indulged,  will 
produce  unhappiness,  and  they  strive  anxiously  to 
repress  them,  but  find  the  task  a difficult  and  al- 
most impossible  one.  The  error  of  the  parents 
lies  in  the  fact,  that  they  have  commenced  the 
work  of  reform  too  late.  “ Too  late,”  we  hear 
asked,  “ when  it  is  commenced  as  soon  as  the 
infant  mind  moves  in  its  first  activities  ? ” Yes, 
it  is  too  late ; and  all  that  can  now  be  done,  will 
be  to  repress  the  evils  as  they  show  themselves, 
and  strive,  at  the  same  time,  to  implant  opposite 
good  principles,  by  means  of  which,  when  these 


ivTARKIAGE. 


253 


children  become  men  and  women,  they  may  con- 
tend with,  and,  if  they  will,  overcome,  the  evils 
which  they  had  derived  from  their  parents. 

This  subject,  of  the  hereditary  transmission  of 
good  or  evil  qualities  of  mind,  is  one  to  which 
but  Tittle  attention  has  been  paid ; and  yet  it  is  a 
matter  of  great  moment.  Whatever  a man  does 
from  principle  and  a confirmed  habit,  be  it  good 
or  evil,  orderly  or  disorderly,  that  he  transmits  to 
his  children  in  a tendency  to  do  the  same  thing. 
A man  who  does  not  think  it  wrong  to  overreach 
his  neighbor  in  bargaining,  must  not  be  surprised 
if  he  discover  in  his  son  a tendency  to  steal, 
which  he  tries  in  vain  to  correct ; nor  he  who 
has  no  regard  for  truth,  wonder  why  his  son 
should  prove  a liar.  If  the  father  and  mother 
are  disorderly  in  their  habits,  or  passionate,  or 
envious  of  their  neighbors,  how  is  it  possible  for 
their  children  to  be  otherwise,  when  the  natural 
and  invariable  law  that  “like  produces  like”  is 
considered  1 

Why  we  said  the  work  of  reform  was  com- 
menced too  late  by  parents,  may  now  be  clearly 
seen.  We  must  fight  the  evils  and  disorders  by 
which  the  human  race  is  cursed,  in  our  own 
hearts,  if  we  would  truly  overcome  them  in  our 
children.  If  this  be  not  done,  the  task  of  cor- 
recting their  evils  will  be  a painful  and  difficult, 


254 


ADVICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


if  not  an  almost  impossible,  one.  If  we  shun  the 
evil  of  overreaching  our  neighbor,  because  it  is 
evil ; if  falsehood  be  avoided,  and  held  in  abhor- 
rence; if  we  resist  evil  tendencies  of  every  kind, 
— we  will  do  more  for  our  children  than  if  we 
were  to  amass  for  them  wealth  equal  to  that  of 
Croesus. 

True  love  of  offspring  will  prompt  to  the  sac- 
rifice of  evil  love  of  all  kinds,  and  the  strength- 
ening of  good  principles  as  rules  of  action  in  the 
mind  of  every  parent. 

To  a young  man  who  thinks  seriously  of  mar- 
riage, this  subject  ought  to  be  one  of  grave  con- 
sideration. If  he  would  not  entail  a curse  upon 
his  children,  let  him  examine  himself  well,  and 
begin  at  once  the  correction  of  every  evil  habit 
and  propensity.  If  he  do  not  do  so,  the  time  may 
come,  when,  like  David  of  old,  he  will  exclaim, 
“ O Absalom ! my  son  ! my  son  ! Would  God 
I had  died  in  thy  stead  ! ” 


CONCLUSION. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

CONCLUSION. 

The  reading  of  a book  like  this  will  do  a 
young  man  but  little  good,  if  he  throw  it  down 
without  seriously  reflecting  upon  its  contents. 
He  must  consider  the  truths  it  teaches  as  truths 
for  his  guidance,  as  well  as  for  the  guidance  of 
others.  The  views  here  taken  of  life  are  too  im- 
portant to  be  lightly  passed  by.  They  are  of 
vital  interest  both  to  the  individual  and  the 
community.  The  elevation  and  regeneration  of 
society  depend  mainly  upon  the  reception  of  right 
views  by  the  young.  Those  who  have  attained 
to  some  age,  from  feeling  the  consequences  of 
their  own  ignorance  and  errors  in  the  outset  of 
life,  can  give  wiser  precepts  to  the  young  than 
they  themselves  received  when  they  stepped 
boldly  forth,  proud  in  their  new-felt  freedom 
and  power.  There  will  always  be  some  ready  to 
listen  to  and  act  upon  these  precepts,  and  they 
will  elevate  the  standard  of  right  feeling  and 
acting  in  their  generation.  The  greater  the 
number  of  those  who  act  from  these  wiser  pre- 


256 


ADVICE  TO  YOTJNG  MEN. 


cepts,  the  more  decided  will  be  their  influence, 
and  the  higher,  in  consequence,  will  rise  the 
generation  to  which  they  belong.  Thus  will 
society  advance  towards  perfection  with  a slow 
but  certain  progress. 

From  this  view  every  young  man  can  see  how 
great  is  the  responsibility  resting  ijpon  him  as  an 
individual.  If  he  commence  with  right  principles 
as  his  guide,  — that  is,  if  in  every  action  he  have 
regard  to  the  good  of  the  whole,  as  well  as  to  his 
own  good,  — he  will  not  only  secure  his  own  well- 
being, but  aid  in  the  general  advancement  to- 
wards a state  of  order.  But  if  he  disregard  all 
the  precepts  of  experience  and  reason,  and  follow 
only  the  impulses  of  his  appetites  and  passions, 
he  will  retard  the  general  return  to  true  order, 
and  secure  for  himself  that  unhappiness  in  the 
future  which  is  the  invariable  consequence  of  ail 
violations  of  natural  or  divine  laws. 


